President Donald Trump stormed out of a coronavirus press conference at the White House on Monday after becoming angry with two reporters, one who asked a question about testing, and another who didn’t get to ask a question at all.
The event in the Rose Garden was meant to give the president a chance to boast about the recent increases in testing, and Trump spoke and answered questions for nearly an hour.
The briefing got off to a bumpy start when the president misstated the dollar amount that would be allocated to states to help with testing. “We are sending $1 billion to American states, territories and tribes,” Trump announced, in what officials had told reporters would be a high-point of the event.
But those same officials said the amount would be $11 billion, not $1 billion. Moreover, the $11 billion was appropriated in the CARES Act passed by Congress and signed into law in April, calling into question why it was being held up almost three weeks later as a major success point.
A White House spokesman later confirmed to CNBC that the amount is in fact, $11 billion.
For the remainder of his remarks, the president ran through the numbers of personal protective equipment, ventilators and other essential gear that the U.S. has produced and distributed to fight the virus.
But it was in the question and answer session that tempers erupted.
At around 5:15 p.m., CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang asked Trump, “You have said many times that the U.S. is doing far better than any other country when it comes to testing,” to which Trump said, “Yes.”
Jiang, who is Chinese American, continued, “Why does that matter? Why is it global competition to you, if every day Americans are still losing their lives, and we are still seeing more cases every day?”
“They’re losing their lives everywhere in the world,” Trump replied, “And maybe that’s a question you should ask China. Don’t ask me. Ask China that question, okay? If you ask them that question, you may get a very unusual answer.”
As Trump proceeded to call on another reporter, Jiang followed up. “Sir, why are you saying that to me, specifically?”
“I’m not saying it specifically to anybody,” Trump responded, growing visibly irate. “I’m saying that to anyone who would ask a nasty question like that.”
“That’s not a nasty question,” Jiang insisted, but Trump had already moved on.
“Anyone else?” Trump said to the assembled reporters, before calling on CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, who was standing in line behind Jiang. “OK, yes, please go ahead, in the back,” he said.
Collins approached the microphone, “I have two questions,” she said.
“No, it’s ok,” Trump said, dismissing Collins, “we’ll go up here.”
“But you pointed to me, Mr. President, and I have two questions.”
“Next, next please,” Trump said, as he looked past Collins.
“But you called on me,” Collins protested.
“I did. And you didn’t respond, and now I’m calling on the other young lady in the back,” Trump said.
“But I just wanted to let my colleague finish,” Collins said, but Trump cut her off.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much. appreciate it, thank you very much,” Trump said, and he turned and walked away.
The exchange was the latest in a series of bitter back-and-forths Trump has had with reporters since he started giving near daily press briefings on the coronavirus pandemic in mid-March.
Trump has also accused China of withholding information about the virus, which originated in the city of Wuhan, thereby causing harm to the rest of the world that could have been avoided. And Trump has suggested that the virus could have been accidentally released from a Chinese laboratory, an allegation for which U.S. intelligence agencies have so far said they have no evidence.
Most recently, U.S. officials have said there are indications China is using cyber warfare to steal research on a coronavirus vaccine from American labs.
The briefing got off to a bumpy start when the president misstated the dollar amount that would be allocated to states to help with testing. “We are sending $1 billion to American states, territories and tribes,” Trump announced, in what officials had told reporters would be a high-point of the event.
But those same officials said the amount would be $11 billion, not $1 billion. Moreover, the $11 billion was appropriated in the CARES Act passed by Congress and signed into law in April, calling into question why it was being held up almost three weeks later as a major success point.
A White House spokesman later confirmed to CNBC that the amount is in fact, $11 billion.
For the remainder of his remarks, the president ran through the numbers of personal protective equipment, ventilators and other essential gear that the U.S. has produced and distributed to fight the virus.
But it was in the question and answer session that tempers erupted.
At around 5:15 p.m., CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang asked Trump, “You have said many times that the U.S. is doing far better than any other country when it comes to testing,” to which Trump said, “Yes.”
Jiang, who is Chinese American, continued, “Why does that matter? Why is it global competition to you, if every day Americans are still losing their lives, and we are still seeing more cases every day?”
“They’re losing their lives everywhere in the world,” Trump replied, “And maybe that’s a question you should ask China. Don’t ask me. Ask China that question, okay? If you ask them that question, you may get a very unusual answer.”
As Trump proceeded to call on another reporter, Jiang followed up. “Sir, why are you saying that to me, specifically?”
“I’m not saying it specifically to anybody,” Trump responded, growing visibly irate. “I’m saying that to anyone who would ask a nasty question like that.”
“That’s not a nasty question,” Jiang insisted, but Trump had already moved on.
“Anyone else?” Trump said to the assembled reporters, before calling on CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, who was standing in line behind Jiang. “OK, yes, please go ahead, in the back,” he said.
Collins approached the microphone, “I have two questions,” she said.
“No, it’s ok,” Trump said, dismissing Collins, “we’ll go up here.”
“But you pointed to me, Mr. President, and I have two questions.”
“Next, next please,” Trump said, as he looked past Collins.
“But you called on me,” Collins protested.
“I did. And you didn’t respond, and now I’m calling on the other young lady in the back,” Trump said.
“But I just wanted to let my colleague finish,” Collins said, but Trump cut her off.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much. appreciate it, thank you very much,” Trump said, and he turned and walked away.
The exchange was the latest in a series of bitter back-and-forths Trump has had with reporters since he started giving near daily press briefings on the coronavirus pandemic in mid-March.
Trump has also accused China of withholding information about the virus, which originated in the city of Wuhan, thereby causing harm to the rest of the world that could have been avoided. And Trump has suggested that the virus could have been accidentally released from a Chinese laboratory, an allegation for which U.S. intelligence agencies have so far said they have no evidence.
Most recently, U.S. officials have said there are indications China is using cyber warfare to steal research on a coronavirus vaccine from American labs.
Trup did that because the woman did hesitate to ask her questions
ReplyDeleteAngry mode activated
ReplyDeleteMaybe he's just being frustrated 🥴🥴
ReplyDeleteTrump has no human feeling, if not he could have listing to the next reporter what she had to say but no embarrassing her in publicly.
ReplyDeleteTrump has human feelings
DeleteTriumphant Trump is far better than lifeless Buhari bcos only reads whatever the cabal gives him to read to Nigerians.
DeleteActually he does he's human he isn't happy seeing and hearing people are dying and he can do little about it let's just pray pray God helps us all from this covid_19 pandemic I admire him a lot
DeleteI love Trump because he is not pretending what he does not like. He is a real man.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever ask and seek for what kill your father nor brother nor sister or mother when you will get to find out what or who actually kills them, then you will understand president Donald Trump.
ReplyDeleteWell the first lady that ask the question frustrate mr president
ReplyDeleteI think he's right to dismiss because some of them are just asking nasty questions
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely.
DeleteLike his response.. you don't tell your president to his face that he his bragging ... remember, he is also doing a lot fighting the pandemic where you reside too... focus on the topic not the character... poor reporter
ReplyDeleteWhat Mr. Trump did was good for Jiang. She deliberately wanted to pick on Trump. Nasty reporter.
ReplyDeleteTrump is frustrated
ReplyDeleteNice one. She should have asked when she was asked to. She delayed. I see conspiracy from the journalists against mr president
ReplyDeleteI just love this president he doesn't care who u are or what u do when u what to tramp on his feet he piss u off
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTrump is just the best president any country would pray for.....
ReplyDeleteI just love Trump, speaking his mind openly, being bothered by a nasty journalist. He hit her so hard.
ReplyDeleteI must say that Trump is indeed not happy with the situation on ground. The number of lives lost on a daily basis in the US is making him very uncomfortable,so you won't blame him for the way he behaved.
ReplyDeleteYou shud see that the guy is actually frustrated.
ReplyDeleteYou shud see that the guy is actually frustrated.
ReplyDeleteIlliterate what did u understand by frustration, when even ur post is from unknown, Trump is the best, he is working hard.
DeleteEnter your comment...when God made man he put a heart inside a person. That's one thing we forget. Trump is human and he also gets hurt. why can't people support him. it will make his work easier.
ReplyDeleteThis man is just too good for acting Hollywood, No, Next, Next!
ReplyDeleteIs Hollywood not better than Nollywood, if he is just acting, when you can not be a common local government councilor
DeleteCourageous president
ReplyDeleteI love the way he shun that Collins lady, you were given an opportunity but you ruin it by yourself, that will teach her and others a lesson never to waste any slight opportunity given to them, I learnt lesson from Mr Trump
ReplyDeleteI love the way he shun that Collins lady, you were given an opportunity but you ruin it by yourself, that will teach her and others a lesson never to waste any slight opportunity given to them, I learnt lesson from Mr Trump
ReplyDeleteSome of the questions ask are nasty indeed
ReplyDeleteSome of the questions ask are nasty indeed
ReplyDeleteThat CNN Lady was carried away... Such a rare opportunity waisted? And who wouldn't be angry with China...
ReplyDeleteHe is just who he is,Trump does not need unReliable statement whicth is not helping the situation.
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting for a day Mr Buhari will welcome questions from journalists/press men...
ReplyDeletePresent impossible tense
DeleteMr Trump is a no-nonsense president, some of those reporters especially the CNN reporters are so mischievous, they are more connected and sympathetic to the Democrats, they hate Trump and he knows it. That's why he gives them a cold shoulder always. And he doesn't pretend it.
ReplyDeleteNasty question, Collins lack respect.
ReplyDeleteNasty question, Collins lack respect.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, Mr Trump isn't having a good time atall. We're all human, he's under alot of pressure and at some point we just loose it, it's very normal
ReplyDeleteTrump is obviously faced with alot of pressure from all over. If he comes out alive and strong after this Covid 19, he would be the strongest president alive. I can imagine the pressure he is going through. May God help him.
ReplyDeleteI love this man....and why is it an asian American askin him the question..
ReplyDeleteWhy waste the time, push that Jiang away and ask your Q. Straight to the point Trump...China must be punished. That's why they name the virus corona because it comes from the same C country. Trump is great.
ReplyDeleteThis is not the issue of not having human feelings. This is frustration. May God save and the whole world from this pandemic.
ReplyDeleteI feel the president is under alot of pressure concerning this pandemic his got the right to be frustrated wen asked a nasty question,c'mon lady reporter ask relevant questions
ReplyDeleteTo me trump is doing fantabulous
ReplyDeleteNo president can do what he's doing especially in naija