Donald Trump reacted angrily on Sunday morning to criticism of his embarrassing phone call with Fox News after the Democratic Party Convention. The former president defended his performance on his platform Truth Social and stressed that he remains in high demand with the media.

The phone call in question took place on Thursday night, immediately after Vice President Kamala Harris’ acceptance speech as the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential nominee. Trump, who was asked to comment by Fox News host Bret Baier, appeared to struggle with his phone during the call. The conversation dragged on, and eventually the Fox News hosts ended the call, prompting laughter from other network personalities on the air.

Trump, visibly angered by the ensuing ridicule, broke his silence early Sunday. In his Truth Social post, he clarified that Baier, not he, initiated the call. He also criticized Harris’ speech, describing it as lacking in substance on key issues such as crime and inflation and giving her speech a lukewarm rating.

Trump defiantly insisted that he remains a major media draw, calling himself a “ratings machine.” He dismissed claims that he was the one who asked the media to appear, stressing that networks are happy to invite him because he draws viewers.

“Likewise, I did not call other media outlets that asked me to appear, they called me,” Trump wrote, attacking the reports, which he called “fake news.” He particularly slammed Maureen Dowd of the New York Times, accusing her of falsely suggesting that he was the one who made the calls to get on the air.

Trump’s claim that he is a “ratings machine” is consistent with his long-standing claim that he is a major media magnet. Throughout his political career, he has frequently boasted about his ability to attract large television audiences, using this as a measure of his influence and popularity.

The former president’s defensive stance comes at a critical time in his 2024 campaign, as he faces a formidable opponent in Vice President Harris. His phone call mishap, followed by public ridicule, could be seen as a minor setback, but Trump’s swift and forceful response shows his determination to maintain his image as a dominant force in the media landscape.

Even as the campaign heats up, Trump’s interactions with the press will likely remain a focus, with every misstep and reaction scrutinized by supporters and critics. His recent declaration that he is a “ratings machine” underscores how important media presence is to his political strategy.

In the ever-evolving political arena, Trump’s ability to control the narrative remains crucial. Whether his media tactics continue to resonate with voters remains to be seen, but his unwavering confidence in his appeal as a media figure is unmistakable.