Donald Trump announces he made Christmas speech to deployed troops but ‘fake news’ wasn’t invited

Speech came hours after Mr Trump golfed in Florida with Lindsey Graham

Donald Trump said he was making a Christmas Day speech to US troops overseas but that “Fake News" was not invited.

The outgoing president took to Twitter to make the announcement and insisted that journalists would not be invited to watch it.

“Going now to make a short speech to service members from all over the world. It is a celebration of Christmas. Video Conference - Fake News not invited!" he tweeted. 

Shortly after his tweet the White House called a “lid” on Mr Trump’s activities, meaning the pool of reporters covering his trip to Florida would not see him again on Christmas Day.

Mr Trump’s speech to the troops came hours after he golfed in West Palm Beach, Florida, with Senator Lindsey Graham.

The president caused chaos earlier this week when he refused to sign the latest coronavirus relief package, after it finally won approval and was sent to his desk to sign.

Despite the administration helping hammer out the details of the $900bn bill, Mr Trump stunned both sides when he attacked the contents of the package, including the size of payments to Americans and the level of foreign aid funding.

It is still unknown if Mr Trump will sign the bill, but it has been flown to Florida if he choses to do so.

Democrats and Republicans have agreed to hand out $600 to each American, but Mr Trump has said he wants the government to send out $2,000 checks instead.

Democrats have welcomed the move but it was quickly defeated by House Republicans on Thursday.

It is not known if Mr Trump will sign the bill, veto it or do nothing during his Christmas vacation.

Earlier in the day Mr Trump tweeted that he was in fact working and blamed China for the country’s economic problems.

“Made many calls and had meetings at Trump International in Palm Beach, Florida. Why would politicians not want to give people $2000, rather than only $600? It wasn’t their fault, it was China. Give our people the money!” he tweeted.