Skip to main content
  • Online media
  • Iran
  • Epstein
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS
  • Take Action
  • Search
  • Donate

Media Matters for America

  • News & Analysis
  • Research & Studies
  • Audio & Video
  • Archives

Media Matters for America

  • Nav
  • Search
  • News & Analysis
  • Research & Studies
  • Audio & Video
  • Archives
  • Online media
  • Iran
  • Epstein
  • Take Action
  • Search
  • Donate
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS
Donald Trump and Twitter

Ceci Freed / Media Matters | Gage Skidmore via Creative Commons

Mainstream media organizations repeat Trump’s lie justifying new tariffs

Other reports debunk Trump’s claim that governments of Argentina and Brazil devalued their currencies

Written by Zachary Pleat

Published 12/02/19 12:36 PM EST

President Donald Trump on Monday announced on Twitter new tariffs targeting steel and aluminum shipments from Argentina and Brazil, claiming the countries “have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies.” Twitter accounts of NBC News, CBS News, PBS, and CNN uncritically repeated Trump’s claim, even though other reporting contradicts it.

Trump’s announcement has not yet turned into formal policy and reportedly surprised Brazil’s president. Just as Trump’s invocation of national security to justify earlier tariffs was bogus, his latest claim also appears contrary to the facts. According to Axios’ coverage of the announcement, both countries’ currencies “are freely traded and have been for years” and “have weakened because of political upheavals and dwindling growth forecasts in the two countries — not government intervention.” The Washington Post’s article on Trump’s announcement pointed to the latest biannual Treasury Department report on currency manipulation that “did not allege Brazil or Argentina had done anything improper in handling their currencies.”

Yet tweets from four broadcast and cable news networks passed on Trump’s lie justifying his action, continuing a pattern of major news outlets repeating Trump’s misinformation to their audiences:

The Latest

  1. Newsmax host Greg Kelly says the Pentagon briefing on Iran “politicized” the troops: “You know who pulled that stuff? George W. Bush.”

    Video & Audio 04/01/26 1:14 PM EDT

  2. Newsmax host and guest criticize Pete Hegseth for lifting suspension of military pilots who flew by Kid Rock's house: “We need to be a professional disciplined force”

    Video & Audio 04/01/26 12:53 PM EDT

  3. Fox’s Laura Ingraham pivots back to pro-Trump propaganda on Iran war

    Article 04/01/26 12:13 PM EDT

  4. The cruelty of Megyn Kelly

    Article 04/01/26 11:06 AM EDT

  5. Pete Hegseth once slammed federal officials for “insider trading.” His stockbroker reportedly tried to buy defense funds before the administration’s war with Iran.

    Article 04/01/26 10:59 AM EDT

Pagination

  • Previous page ‹‹
  • …
  • Current page 32
  • …
  • Next page ››

In This Article

  • Donald Trump

    Donald-Trump-MMFA-Tag.png
  • Tariffs / Trade

Related

  1. Tucker Carlson on Sean Hannity: “It does take a kind of cable news mentality to say of the pope, hey, you ever read the Bible? It's hilarious.”

    Video & Audio 04/16/26 11:53 AM EDT

  2. Media Matters weekly newsletter, April 17

    Narrative/Timeline 04/17/26 11:18 AM EDT

  3. Tucker Carlson on Donald Trump: “Could this be the Antichrist? Well, who knows?”

    Video & Audio 04/16/26 10:25 AM EDT

Media Matters for America

Sign Up for Email Updates
  • About
  • Contact
  • Corrections
  • Submissions
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS

© 2026 Media Matters for America

RSS