Donald Trump tweeted on Tuesday that the high school students involved in an encounter with a Native American man that went viral “have become symbols of Fake News and how evil it can be.”

Trump slammed the media for its coverage of the encounter, which many said showed student Nick Sandmann and his peers mocking Nathan Phillips, the Native American man, in front of the Lincoln Memorial after the March for Life.

“Nick Sandmann and the students of Covington have become symbols of Fake News and how evil it can be. They have captivated the attention of the world, and I know they will use it for the good — maybe even to bring people together. It started off unpleasant, but can end in a dream!” Trump wrote.

Nick Sandmann and the students of Covington have become symbols of Fake News and how evil it can be. They have captivated the attention of the world, and I know they will use it for the good – maybe even to bring people together. It started off unpleasant, but can end in a dream!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019

Critics of the Trump administration and the “Make America Great Again” ethos see a smirking and disrespectful teen — as was widely first reported on various cable news outlets – while those who believe in a biased media see an unfair portrayal that targets white boys who believe that life begins at inception.

It’s the second statement Trump released defending Sandmann and his classmates against the media coverage of the incident. Trump said Monday they had been “smeared” by the media.

Twitter had some thoughts:

Stephen Miller has the phone. https://t.co/jyFXUuu2ZA

— Stonekettle (@Stonekettle) January 22, 2019

Not at all surprising that YOU would defend the students of a school that allowed them to wear blackface at a basketball game! Racism and bigotry at its worst! https://t.co/hgo1LJs5UI

— Chip Coffey (@chipcoffey) January 22, 2019

This is the second tweet from you defending these little pricks, not the Veteran. #MAGA is a racist movement. Nothing more to say about it. You have stoked this racism and it is abhorrent! Jail will be too good for you. #MuellerKnowsEverything https://t.co/Ut6DFjeGWf

— Steve (@AbideandConquer) January 22, 2019

Nope, they become symbols of hate that you helped cultivate and yes, they have captivated the attention of the world in a disgraceful way and the only people they are bring together are racist and people who condone harassing and raping women. https://t.co/jo8VI7y6gI

— Allwftopic (@Alllwftopic) January 22, 2019

Trump thinks that loudly defending some racist kids will distract you from the fact that he's going to be found guilty of collusion. It won't. Don't let it. #TrumpColluded #CovingtonBoys #MuellerInvestigation https://t.co/sbQIJqk6BU

— Trump's Teeth (FAKE AF) (@TrumpTEETH) January 22, 2019