Russia's Ryabkov On New York Times' Op-Ed On Trump: Media Thrives On Sensations

Russia's Ryabkov on New York Times' Op-Ed on Trump: Media Thrives on Sensations

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has urged not to give much weight to the New York Times' op-ed suggesting that several members of the US presidential administration were working against President Donald Trump, noting that media thrived on sensations.

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 07th September, 2018) Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has urged not to give much weight to the New York Times' op-ed suggesting that several members of the US presidential administration were working against President Donald Trump, noting that media thrived on sensations.

On Wednesday, the New York Times published an anonymous op-ed allegedly written by a current senior Trump administration official that was very critical of the president. The official claimed in the article that cabinet members shortly after Trump took office considered invoking the 25th amendment but felt the process was too complex.

"I would like to say a few words about this article - I would rather not exaggerate its significance ... Today's media thrive on sensations ... Such methods allow to increase ad revenue. There will be other publications, even more gritty, even more sensational, more high-profile," Ryabkov told Russia's Channel One broadcaster.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement the individual behind the op-ed chose to "deceive, rather than support, the duly elected President of the United States" and called on the "coward" to resign. Sanders also said the New York Times should issue an apology. Trump, citing national security concerns, called on the New York Times to turn the anonymous official over to the government.

In a note before the article, The New York Times said it took the "rare step" of publishing an anonymous op-ed essay because it was "the only way to deliver an important perspective to our readers." The publication said the author, a senior Trump administration official, requested anonymity to protect his or her job.