Donald Trump issues scathing tweet over New York Times television ad

THE New York Times is running its first television ad in seven years. The 30-second clip takes a not-so-subtle jab at the President, and he’s not happy about it.

DONALD Trump has expressed his fury over a new television ad run by The New York Times.

The ad, which is the first to be run by the newspaper in seven years, appears to be themed around the President’s war on the mainstream media with its focus on “the truth”.

“The truth is our nation is more divided than ever,” the minimalist ad begins as those words are spelt out on the screen over a white backdrop.

The phrase then changes to “The truth is alternative facts are lies”, referencing the well-documented gaffe by Mr Trump’s senior adviser Kellyanne Conway.

The ad repeats different phrases starting with “The truth is …” as the voices get louder and faster, finally ending with: “The truth is more important now than ever.”

Times branding executive David Rubin said the ad aimed to tap into the conversation taking place around factual reporting in the media.

“The idea is to be a part of that discussion about what does it mean to find the truth,” he told CNN. “What does that mean in a world of ‘fake news’? And what is the role of journalism and journalists in that process and what is the role of reader in supporting that journalism?

“We think it’s a great metaphor for how hard it is on a regular basis to understand the truth.

“That leads into the role that we think journalism can play in helping you cut through that clutter and make your own sense of what’s going on in the world.”

In his usual style, Mr Trump responded on Twitter, blasting the ad and telling the newspaper to “try reporting accurately & fairly!”

For first time the failing @nytimes will take an ad (a bad one) to help save its failing reputation. Try reporting accurately & fairly!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 26, 2017

The tweet was posted the same weekend it was announced the outlet would be banned from an off-camera White House press briefing.

The ad will air during the 89th Annual Academy Awards.