Donald Trump abruptly ended a press conference on coronavirus testing after a testy exchange with a female reporter of Asian descent who questioned why he advised her to ask China about the global death rate. He then sparred with a female CNN reporter before leaving the Rose Garden.
The fireworks ended an otherwise surprisingly subdued presidential news conference in the White House Rose Garden and began when CBS News reporter Weijia Jiang pressed Mr Trump on why he seems, at times, to view the Covid-19 pandemic as a “global race” on matters like countries’ death tolls and tests distributed. After not answering the question directly, he advised her to “go ask China” the same question. When he attempted to call on another reporter, Ms Jiang lowered her protective facemask and asked if there was a reason he was asking her – Ms Jiang is of Asian descent. The president did not address the premise of that question, either, other than to say he was instructing all reporters to press China on the virus originating there. (Text, Photo by Independent)