US President Donald Trump has once again expressed his anger at "fake news", this time hitting out at claims he is partially to blame for the Christchurch terror attacks.
Trump tweeted his response on Tuesday to media outlets referencing alleged shooter Brenton Tarrant's manifesto's comments linking him to white supremacy.
"The Fake News Media is working overtime to blame me for the horrible attack in New Zealand.
"They will have to work very hard to prove that one. So Ridiculous!"
The accused gunman's manifesto praised the US President as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose".
The reference revived criticism that Trump has not been strong enough in condemning hate speech and has fomented anti-Muslim sentiment.
White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney told Fox News Sunday that Trump cannot be linked to white supremacy.
"The President is not a white supremacist. I'm not sure how many times we have to say that."
On Friday Trump condemned the "horrible massacre" at the mosques and the White House called the shooting a "vicious act of hate".
Asked by a reporter on Friday if he sees white nationalism as a rising threat around the world, Trump said: "I don't really. I think it's a small group of people."
"I don't think it's fair to cast this person as a supporter of Donald Trump," Mulvaney said.
"This was a disturbed individual, an evil person," he said.
Newshub.
