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WASHINGTON (AFP) – United States President Donald Trump abruptly ended his coronavirus press conference on Monday (May 11) after engaging in an irritable exchange with an Asian-American journalist.
CBS News reporter Weijia Jiang asked Trump why he kept insisting that the United States was doing better than other countries when it came to detecting the virus.
“Why does it matter?” she asked. “Why is it a global competition when, every day, Americans continue to lose their lives?”
“They are losing their lives in all parts of the world,” Trump replied.
“And maybe that’s a question you should ask China. Don’t ask me, ask China that question, okay?”
Jiang, who identifies herself in her Twitter bio as a “Chinese-born western virgin,” rejected.
“Sir, why are you telling me that specifically?” she said, implying that it was because of her race.
“I tell anyone who asks an unpleasant question like that,” Trump said.
He then attempted to pass another journalist as Jiang continued to press him on his response.
Trump called another reporter but immediately called another person.
When the woman tried to ask her question, Trump abruptly ended the press conference and returned to the White House.
The internet rushed to join Jiang, with the hashtag #StandWithWeijiaJiang soon trending on Twitter.
“I stand with WeijiaJiang against Trump’s racist tantrums,” tweeted “Star Trek” actor and prominent Asian-American activist George Takei.
CNN reporter and political analyst April Ryan, who has also received Trump’s words, tweeted, “Welcome to the club! This is disgusting! It’s his habit!”
Trump, who has never been shy about his aversion to the media, has often hooked journalists during his press conferences on the coronavirus.
More than 80,000 people have died in the United States. USA Because of the coronavirus pandemic, of more than 1.3 million cases, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University on Monday, the highest death rate in any country.
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