"We are speaking DIRECTLY to this board."

https://

www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-ushers-in-2019-saying-calm-down-and-enjoy-the-ride-amid-new-year-challenges

President Trump ushered in 2019 in characteristic fashion – with a tweet expressing supreme confidence in himself, contempt for the “fake news media” and optimism for the country.

The famously teetotaling commander-in-chief proved he wasn't nursing a New Year's hangover with the early morning missive, his second of the freshly-minted year. The first was a message praising former adviser Sebastian Gorka, who has a book out.

“Happy new year to everyone, including the haters and the fake news media!” the president tweeted. “2019 will be a fantastic year for those not suffering from Trump derangement syndrome.”

Trump added, “Just calm down and enjoy the ride, great things are happening for our country!”

Trump also used Twitter to fire back at a critic who had slammed him on television days earlier, labeling retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal a "Hillary lover!" with a “big, dumb mouth." McChrystal, appearing on ABC's "This Week," said Trump is immoral and doesn't tell the truth.

The first tweets of the year indicate the president will not slow down his social media activity in the new year. Trump enters 2019 facing a number of challenges: a partial government shutdown, a volatile stock market, Democrats taking control of the House, a forthcoming report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, White House staff turnover and the kick-off to his 2020 re-election campaign.

The partial federal government shutdown enters its second week – and the new year – without a deal to re-open the government in sight, as both sides continue digging in over funding for a barrier on the border with Mexico.

House Democrats plan to introduce a legislative package to re-open the government once they get control of the House on Thursday, but it's not clear what kind of support it will get from Republicans. Trump has said he will only support a bill with funding for his border wall.

"The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall," the president tweeted Tuesday. "So imaginative! The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security - and our Country must finally have a Strong and Secure Southern Border!"