President Donald Trump resumed holding an afternoon coronavirus press conference on Monday, but ended it after a reporter asked why he sees testing as a global competition if Americans are still dying. Trump grew immediately agitated, told her to “ask China,” and ended the press conference after skipping over another reporter.
“Why does that matter?” a CBS News reporter asked, referring to coronavirus testing. “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?”
“Well they’re losing their lives everywhere in the world. And maybe that’s a question you should ask China,” Trump replied, irritated, stressing “China.”
“Don’t ask me, ask China that question.”
The President then tried to take a question from another reporter, but the reporter Weijia Jiang, who describes herself as a “Chinese born West Virginian,” pressed on.
“Sir, why are you saying that to me? Specifically?” she asked.
“I’m not saying it specifically to anybody. I’m saying it to anybody that would ask a nasty question.”
Trump then called on CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. As she approached the mic, Trump waved her off, and chose another reporter.
Collins, fighting to ask her question, said, “But you pointed to me.”
“Next, next please,” Trump said.
“OK. Ladies and gentlemen,” Trump announced. “Thank you very much. Appreciate it.”
Then the President, with a grimace on his face, turned around and stormed off.