Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Donald Trump tweets FBI to tell them about Fox News story

President uses tag to alert investigators to reports he and his team were spied on

Jon Sharman
Monday 03 April 2017 10:55 EDT
Comments
President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Donald Trump has apparently used Twitter to alert the FBI to allegations of "electronic surveillance" against him.

The President cited reports by Fox News suggesting he and "people close to" him had been monitored before his nomination as Republican candidate, and tagged @FBI.

The agency's Twitter bio asks users of the social network to submit tips through a dedicated website, tips.fbi.gov.

Mr Trump said: "Such amazing reporting on unmasking and the crooked scheme against us by @foxandfriends. 'Spied on before nomination.' The real story.

".@FoxNews from multiple sources: 'There was electronic surveillance of Trump, and people close to Trump. This is unprecedented.' @FBI".

Fox journalists Malia Zimmerman and Adam Housley reported on Friday that a US intelligence official responsible for "unmasking" people working with Mr Trump was "very high up" in the spy community. The story featured anonymous sources, the use of which Mr Trump has previously criticised.

Mr Housley appeared on Fox News television on Monday to discuss the story, it was reported.

In the past Mr Trump has been staunchly critical of news organisations for using anonymous sources.

He told the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this year: "They make up sources. We have to fight it folks, we have to fight it.

"I’m against the people that make up stories and make up sources. They shouldn’t be allowed to use a story unless they put their name out there."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in