Watch: Trump to Chinese-American journalist: Ask China that COVID-19 question
Reporter appeared stunned by US president’s response to her question
Dubai: In the course of his presidency, Donald Trump’s relationship with a large segment of the American media has been contentious, to put it mildly. But things took a particularly nasty turn on Monday when the president was asked a perfectly valid question by a Chinese-American reporter.
Weijia Jiang, a White House correspondent for CBS News, asked Trump why he sees coronavirus testing as a “global competition when everyday Americans are losing their lives”. To which Trump responded: “...Maybe that’s a question you should ask China.”
Things got ugly after Jiang, who was born in China and immigrated to America when she was two years old, shot back: “Sir, why are you saying that to me specifically?”
“I’m telling you,” Trump said. “I’m not saying it specifically to anybody. I’m saying it to anybody that asks a nasty question.”
“That’s not a nasty question,” Jiang said. “Why does it matter?”
Trump then tried to take a question from another reporter.
The other reporter, who had let Jiang ask Trump her follow up questions, approached the microphone. “I have two questions,” she said.
“No, it’s OK,” Trump replied.
“But you pointed to me,” said continued. “I have two questions, Mr. President. You called on me.”
“I did,” Trump said. “And you didn’t respond, and now I’m calling on the young lady in the back.”
“I just wanted to let my colleague finish. But can I ask you a question?” she said.
But Trump then ended the press conference.