Fact check: conspiracy theories pushed by Trump 2:42
(CNN) -
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, says his magazine's story of Trump calling Americans who died in battle "losers" and "fools" was just the tip of the iceberg.
"I look forward to more reports on this and new pieces of information confirmed in the coming days and weeks," Goldberg told CNN's chief media correspondent Brian Stelter on "Reliable Sources" on Sunday.
"We have a responsibility and we are going to do it regardless of what he says."
The magazine received strong criticism - from Trump and many others - for attributing the information to four anonymous sources.
CNN confirmed various aspects of The Atlantic's reports, also with sources choosing to remain anonymous.
LOOK: Trump angrily denies report that claims he denigrated the US military
But Goldberg said this is how the media can do their job of uncovering stories that take place behind closed doors.
Jeffrey Goldberg.
"We all have to use anonymous sources, especially in a climate where the President of the United States is actively trying to intimidate," Goldberg said of his editorial decision to quote unnamed people.
"These are not anonymous people to me."
Carl Bernstein, the investigative reporter known for revealing the Watergate story that ousted President Richard Nixon, told Stelter on "Reliable Sources" on Sunday that anonymous sourcing is often a crucial tool for journalists.
"Almost all of our 200 stories about Watergate were based on anonymous sources," he said.
Bernstein added that during the Trump era, "information is almost uniformly based on anonymous sources, in part because that's the only way we can get to the truth."
LOOK: Several boats sank during a parade of supporters of President Trump in Texas
When it comes to the current presidency, Bernstein said: "We have to recognize that almost everything we know about the truth about Donald Trump and his presidency comes from the reports," adding: "Fake news is the news of the president." and journalists "do the actual reporting."
On Sunday, Trump responded to The Atlantic, directly attacking its majority owner, Laurene Powell Jobs.
MORE: In Revealing Book, Michael Cohen Says Trump Hired A & # 8216; Fake Obama & # 8217;
before the race to the White House
"Steve Jobs would not be happy that his wife is wasting money, left her in a radical left magazine that is failing and that is run by a scammer (Goldberg) and spews out FAKE NEWS AND HATE," Trump tweeted.
"Call her, write to her, let her know how you feel !!!"
Goldberg responded to Trump, saying the magazine will continue to report on his administration.
“We are not going to be intimidated by the President of the United States.
We are going to do our job, ”Goldberg said.