Trump, New England Patriots Slam NYT Over WH Visit Tweet

President Donald Trump and the New England Patriots criticized The New York Times for a tweet that compared the Wednesday event, which celebrated the Patriots' 2017 Super Bowl win, to the attendance at the 2015 White House event for the Patriots' win that year.

Patriots' turnout for President Obama in 2015 vs. Patriots' turnout for President Trump today: https://t.co/OxMEOqZonI pic.twitter.com/pLmJWhOw1j

— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) April 19, 2017

The photo appeared to suggest that fewer people attended the event this year.

The Patriots' Twitter account responded, saying that some members of the staff were seated elsewhere.

These photos lack context. Facts: In 2015, over 40 football staff were on the stairs. In 2017, they were seated on the South Lawn. https://t.co/iIYtV0hR6Y

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 20, 2017

The Times responded with a correction provided by the Patriots:

UPDATE: Patriots say # of players was smaller this year than 2015 (34 vs. 50) but total delegation was roughly the same. pic.twitter.com/Ij77Def8z5

— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) April 20, 2017

President Trump, who has frequently chastised the newspaper, tweeted Thursday morning that the Times had posted a "big lie."

Failing @nytimes, which has been calling me wrong for two years, just got caught in a big lie concerning New England Patriots visit to W.H.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2017

• Gronkowski Pops Into White House Briefing
• Patriots White House Visit, Minus Sore Winners, Set April 19