Trump ends conference after clashing with two reporters
President Donald Trump is trending on social media for all the wrong reasons.
WASHINGTON (KYMA, KECY)-President Donald Trump abruptly ended his Monday press conference after lashing out on an Asian-American journalist who questions his constant emphasis on being first in testing for COVID-19.
The Washington Post reports the clash began with pointed question by Weijia Jiang of CBS News, who has tangled with Trump at briefings in the past along with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.
“You’ve said many times that the U.S. is doing far better than any other country when it comes to testing,” Jiang said. “Why does that matter? Why is this a global competition to you if every day Americans are still losing their lives and we’re still seeing more cases every day?”
In which Trump responded, "Well, they’re losing their lives everywhere in the world." However, he suggests Jiang, who is from Chinese American, she is better off asking China that question.
“Maybe that’s a question you should ask China,” Trump said, emphasizing the country’s name. “Don’t ask me, ask China that question, okay?”
Jiang proceeds by asking Trump, "Sir, why are you saying that to me specifically? That I should ask China,” Jiang said sharply, leaning forward in her seat and lowering her face mask.
“I’m not saying it specifically to anybody.” Trump said. “I’m saying it to anybody that would ask a nasty question like that.”
The Washington Post says Jiang’s inquiry received no acknowledgment from Trump, who had already turned his attention to the other reporters.
But when Collins stepped up to the microphone, Trump did not appear interested in hearing from her anymore, either.
“Next, next, please,” Trump said, prompting Collins to remind him that he had pointed to her.
“I did and you didn’t respond and now I’m calling on the young lady in the back,” the president said.
Collins remained undeterred. She began explaining that she had just wanted to let Jiang finish and did have questions for Trump, but before she could ask anything, the president cut in.
“Okay,” Trump said, raising both his hands as Collins continued to protest. The president brusquely thanked everyone in attendance before turning away from the lectern with his mouth fixed in a grim line and walking off.
On Tuesday morning, Trump retweeted a White House aid cheering him on for walking away from reporters’ questions Monday afternoon.
'Fake Journalists' retweeted Trump.
Fake Journalists! https://t.co/fdFWf95Zz1
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2020
Reports say after the tense back and forth words between Trump and the reporters #TrumpMeltdown and #RacistInChief trended on Twitter, largely fueled by commentary from the president’s critics.
Three weeks ago, Trump was ridiculed for suggesting that doctors should investigate injecting disinfectants into COVID-19 patients’ lungs at an April 23 coronavirus task force briefing.
