Trump calls for unity, but then whips crowd into anti-media chant

The spate of suspected explosive devices included deliveries to the cable news network CNN, whose journalists have become frequent targets of criticism at Trump rallies.

“In recent days, we’ve had a broader conversation about the tone and civility of our national dialogue,” Trump said at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Everyone will benefit if we can end the politics of personal destruction. We must unify as a nation in peace, love and in harmony.”

Only seconds later, he repudiated the media -– despite the fact that CNN was among the targets of the packages -– and whipped the crowd into a frenzy as they chanted, “CNN sucks!”

“The media’s constant, unfair coverage, deep hostility and negative attacks only serve to drive people apart and to undermine healthy debate,” Trump said, accusing journalists of taking advantage of “the sinister actions of one individual to score political points against me and the Republican Party.”

Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump claps during a “Make America Great Again” rally at Bojangles’ Coliseum, Oct. 26, 2018, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to social media accounts, suspect Cesar Sayoc, 56, of Aventura, Florida, had attended Trump rallies in the past.

Trump meanwhile praised state, local and federal law enforcement for their swift apprehension of the suspect.

“The suspect has been captured — great job — and is now in federal custody,” he said. “These terrorist actions must be prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law. We all know that.”

(MORE: President Trump bears ‘no’ responsibility in pipe bomb scare: VP Pence to ABC News)

The president also mentioned Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., by name. Waters was another intended recipient of two of the bomb packages. Trump has frequently demeaned her in the past.

He mentioned that one of the Democratic challengers to a Republican House incumbent is “a big fan of Maxine Waters.” Then he repeated her name, prompting “boos” from the crowd.

“But I’m going to be nice to them,” he continued. “So I won’t say. I won’t say. I want them to say ‘he was so nice tonight.’”

It was unclear just what it was the president wouldn’t say.

Trump also referred to the caravan of migrants fleeing violence in Central America — many of whom are now heading north through Mexico. He said the opposing party would welcome the migrants into the United States.

Chuck Burton/APPresident Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Charlotte, N.C., Oct. 26, 2018.

“The Democrats want to invite caravan after caravan of illegal immigrants and they want to sign them up for free health care, free welfare, free education and for the right to vote,” he said.

“It’s so unfair that people just walk across the border because our Democrat laws are no good,” he added.

(MORE: Trump weighs options on executive action that would bar migrants, deny asylum at border)

At the beginning of his remarks, the president commented on the rainy weather outside.

“I’ve never seen rain in North Carolina.”

Yet the state had just been ravaged by a hurricane -– a fact which Trump later pointed out as he offered his “love and support” to residents of the state and neighboring South Carolina.

“That was a rain-soaked hurricane,” he said. “That was a lot of water.”

Sourse: abcnews.go.com