Trump abruptly ends news conference after exchange with reporters

President Donald Trump abruptly ended his Monday press conference after a contentious exchange in which he asked an Asian American journalist to “ask China” about her question and then refused to take a query from another White House reporter.

Weijia Jiang, a White House correspondent for CBS News, asked the president why he sees coronavirus testing as a global competition when more than 80,000 Americans have died.

“Maybe that’s a question you should ask China,” Trump told Jiang, who was born in China and immigrated to the United States when she was 2 years old. “Don’t ask me. Ask China that question, OK?”

Trump attempted to move on by calling on Kaitlan Collins, a White House correspondent for CNN, but Jiang interjected with a follow-up question.

“Sir, why are you saying that to me specifically?” asked Jiang, who was visibly taken aback by Trump’s demand.

“I’m telling you,” Trump replied. “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 looked again to take a question from another reporter.

Collins, who had let Jiang ask Trump her followup questions, approached the microphone.

“I have two questions,” Collins said.

“No, it’s OK,” Trump replied.

“But you pointed to me,” Collins said. “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.”

Trump then ended the news conference.