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CNNs Jake Tapper opined on severaltopics during an interview on Day 1 of SXSW in Austin, but he let loose when talk inevitably turned to President Donald Trump and his nascent administration.

Its a difficult environment when the commander in chief of the country Id say, Leader of the Free World, but I think thats Angela Merkel now hears anything he doesnt like and calls it, fake news, said Tapper in during the onstage discussion moderated by MTV News/Wonkettes Ana Marie Cox. I call fake news three recent things: When Trump said nobody in his campaign spoke to Russia, and they did; when Michael Flynn said he didnt have contact with the Russians, and he did; and now our Attorney General said he didnt speak to the Russians. The White House wants to delegitimize any checks and balances.

Tapper, whos been a favorite piata of the alt-right in recent weeks, compared Trumps statements on fake news to that of his own 7-year-old son. He said the boy will notice when hes not in a good mood and will react by using an exaggerated hand gesture and screaming, Fake news! Said Tapper with an underlying condemnation of the presidents maturity level, Except, my 7-year-old knows its a ridiculous, childish thing.

Tapper also took issue with the administrations jobs report today. Trump had dismissed mostly good economic news during the campaign as lies but embraced todays report that more than 250K jobs were created in February, quoting with laughter Sean Spicers response to a question about whether the president accepts the official statistics today: They may have been phony in the past, but they arent now.

Tapper said that, after moderating a debate with GOP hopefuls, he knew who would win. He said Trumps opponents were soft on him when he asked a pointed question and that spelled out who would ultimately triumph to lead the partys ticket in the general election.

SXSW

When asked in the debates if the other Republicans had concern if Trump had the nuclear codes, Carly Fiorina and Jeb Bush [demurred]. I knew then hed be the nominee. They couldnt deal with an Alpha.

Beyond many instances citing what he sees as Trump and his administrations personal toying of truth, Tapper gave kudos to some members of the press for holding POTUS to account. But also said there are other journalists who are acquiescing by not holding Trump accountable for his statements.

What bothers me are journalists who are not rising to the occasion, Tapper said. I wont mention names, but there are some who are keeping their heads down and are [essentially] saying its OK make fun of the disabled [for instance]. These are things I never thought Id have to say.

Tapper added that he has never seen it more tense in Washington than now, but the one thing that unites Republicans on the Hill are Trumps attacks on the press. The press is in a much more adversarial place than ever, the CNN anchor said. And you know what? I hope we stay that way now and in the next administration because thats where we are supposed to be.

As for that previous administration, Tapper seemed to surprise some in the crowded Ballroom D at the Austin Convention Center when he said that he thought the former POTUS had little fondness for him, saying he had been a challenge for them as well.

I dont think President Obama likes me, Tapper said. I think he thinks I am a pain in the ass.

While Trump rails against Alec Baldwins portrayal of himon SaturdayNight Live, Tapper is mostly pleased with how he comes off in BeckBennetts portrayal of him on the show. I feel very, very lucky, he said. The way they have gone after Spicer I have a handsome guy I feel like I dodged a bullet. Though that last skit I dont know about that

Hes talking about last Saturdays skit in which Kate McKinnons Kellyanne Conway stalks Bennetts Tapper. Watch it below.

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CNN's Jake Tapper Unloads On Donald Trump, The Media & Fake News At SXSW - Deadline