President Trump early Thursday offered rare praise for CNN, telling “Fox & Friends” that Anderson Cooper “was surprisingly tough” and “did a good job” during town hall event the night before that featured former FBI director James Comey.

“I watched leaking, lying Comey last night and I did, I hated to do it,” the president told “Fox & Friends” co-hosts Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt and Brian Kilmeade.

“One of the reasons, people say, ‘you are still looking good, Mr. President, how do you do it?’ One of the things I’ve been able to do, which is something I never thought I had the ability, I would always watch,” he continued in referring to CNN, a network he has criticized more than any other since taking office.

“Now frankly, I don’t have time for two reasons, there is too much, and I don’t have time, but I would watch, whether it is good or bad, I would always watch. I have an ability, I don’t watch NBC anymore. They’re as bad as CNN. I don’t — by the way I made them a fortune with the “Apprentice.” Think of that one,” Trump noted.