'WORDS MATTER'

All of the targets are frequently maligned by right-wing critics. Trump has repeatedly criticized CNN as "fake news" and disparaged the mainstream news media as an "enemy of the people."

"There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media," CNN President Jeff Zucker said in a statement read on CNN. "The president, and especially the White House press secretary, should understand that their words matter. Thus far they have shown no comprehension of that."

US Democratic leaders in Congress said Trump's call for unity rang "hollow" because of his past statements condoning acts of violence.

"Time and time again, the president has condoned physical violence and divided Americans with his words and his actions," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House of Representatives top Democrat Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.

Last week, Trump, who has joined other Republicans in accusing Democrats of encouraging "mob" tactics, heaped praise on a Montana congressman who assaulted a reporter in 2017.

"Any guy that can do a body-slam ... is my guy," Trump told supporters at the rally.

Brennan at an event in Austin, Texas on Wednesday also faulted Trump for frequent inflammatory rhetoric, saying the president "too often has helped incite some of these feelings of anger, if not violence, when he points to acts of violence."

"He should not be beating the tom-toms of anger and animosity and war," said the former CIA chief, whose security clearance was revoked by Trump after he criticized the president's summit earlier this year with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump at the Wisconsin rally called attention to "how nice I’m behaving tonight." "Have you ever seen this? We’re all behaving very well and hopefully we can keep it that way, right?"

Reuters