PBS got a shout-out from President Trump in the midst of a cabinet meeting Wednesday.
Trump’s praise came during a discussion of U.S. relations with North Korea. He said he had “watched PBS last night,” which he hadn’t seen in “a while,” and saw accurate coverage of U.S. relations with North Korea.
“They covered it very, very nicely,” he said. “I was surprised, based on everything I’ve heard about them. I’ll have to start watching PBS much more. They covered it very accurately. And I actually put a quote out last night about what they said, I thought that was very accurate.”
In his tweet, Trump referred to PBS NewsHour.
“Kim Jong Un says North Korea will not make or test nuclear weapons, or give them to others – & he is ready to meet President Trump anytime.” PBS News Hour. I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019
The mention may come as a surprise, considering that Trump’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2019 called for an end to public broadcasting funding. Congress ultimately preserved that support, and Trump approved the appropriation in September.
PBS NewsHour posted an Associated Press story on its website that included Trump’s tweet.
“We’re always pleased to know that the president and other senior government officials are watching our thoughtful and objective reporting,” said NewsHour spokesperson Nick Massella. He added that the show’s team hopes anchor and managing editor Judy Woodruff “can sit down with President Trump for an interview soon.”
PBS declined to comment.
Watch Trump’s remarks: