Donald Trump rails against 'fake news' in fresh scathing attack on media at rally

Donald Trump launched another extraordinary attack on the media as he took the unusual step of holding a campaign rally just weeks after entering the White House.

Addressing supporters in Florida, the US President accused the “dishonest media” of publishing false stories, pledging he will “never, ever let them get away with it".

He defended his record in office so far, despite a chaotic beginning to his term as America’s 45^th president.

Asked aboard Air Force One if a campaign rally was too early, Mr Trump said "life is a campaign" and that making America great again is a campaign.

He added that "it's not easy, especially when we're also fighting the press and the media".

The president promised to repeal Barack Obama's health care law, build a border wall along the US-Mexico border, reduce regulations and create jobs.

He also pledged to "do something over the next couple of days" to address the immigration order that has been blocked in the courts.

"I want to be among my friends and among the people," he told a cheering crowd in Melbourne, praising his "truly great movement".

Insisting he was the victim of false reporting, Mr Trump said his White House was running "so smoothly" and that he "inherited one big mess".

The president has been trying refocus after reports of disarray and dysfunction within his administration.

He has also had to contend with crowds of protesters, with thousands out on the streets of Dallas and Los Angeles to oppose immigration enforcement raids and to support immigrants and refugees generally.

Mr Trump, who held a rally in the same spot in Florida in September, clearly relished being back in front of his supporters, welcoming the cheers and letting one supporter up on stage to offer praise for the president.

The event had the familiar trappings of a Trump campaign rally, including red Trump caps, "Make America Great Again" and "Trump/Pence" signs and at least one sign reading "Hillary for Prison".

The rally came during Mr Trump's third successive weekend at his private south Florida club, Mar-a-Lago.

The president planned to interview at least four potential candidates for the job of national security adviser, a position unexpectedly open after Michael Flynn's firing over links to Russia early this week.

Mr Trump's first choice, Robert Harward, a retired vice admiral, turned down the offer.

Mr Flynn, a retired general, resigned at Mr Trump's request on Monday after revelations that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about discussing sanctions with Russia's ambassador to the US during the transition.

The president said he was disappointed by how Mr Flynn had treated Mr Pence, but did not believe Mr Flynn had done anything wrong by having the conversations.

Mr Trump has lurched from crisis to crisis since the inauguration, including the botched roll-out of his immigration order, struggles confirming his cabinet picks and a near-constant stream of reports about strife within his administration.