by B. R. GOWANI
US presidents have not been very forthcoming with reporters during their press conferences; many times, they refuse to answer vital questions. But one has to admit that none of them have been so spiteful and grotty as President Donald Trump. Trump’s racism is on full display when he humiliates reporters mostly colored. It also serves his other objective: he is playing to his white base where he wants to maintain an image of a macho guy who never accepts his mistake, never says sorry, and never hesitates to express his racism.
On October 1, 2018, Cecilia Vega, ABC News Senior White House correspondent, was ridiculed by President Donald Trump during a White House press conference. while his subordinates, equally dimwitted ones, joined him with a derisive laugh.
“She’s shocked that I picked on her. She’s like in a state of shock.”
Vega replied:
“I’m not, thank you.”
Trump is so thickheaded that he just can’t quit while it’s still not that awful to do so. He then attacked her more.
“That’s okay, I know you’re not thinking, you never do.“
The above jab reflects totally on Trump’s thinking prowess rather than the reporter’s. Reporters need Trump to get answers to their queries; but equally, Trump needs them too to reach the audience of their channels. The time for good manners on side of reporters should be considered over now when the other party doesn’t give a damn about public etiquette. Vega should have countered Trump in these words:
“Mr. President, I have to think all the time as to how to handle racist/misogynist/bigot characters like you and others surrounding you right now. If I were like you, a non-thinking person, I would have lost my job a long time ago. You have lost many of your businesses long ago but you’re still viable in the market because you’re a fucking good bullshitter who is able to borrow money from banks such as Deutsche Bank and Capital one.”
(Trump has also borrowed $211 million from the Bank of China.)
Reporters Abby Phillip, Yamiche Alcindor, April Ryan have all borne the brunt of Trump’s racist attacks during their questioning of this rogue president. There have been many others too.
Trump’s arrogance and his lack of timely actions against the spread of COVID-19 in the United States has resulted in more than 83,000 deaths and over 1.4 million cases. Trump himself can be held liable for tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths. The White House has big signs proclaiming:
AMERICA LEADS THE WORLD IN TESTING
on May 11, CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang questioned Trump
“Why does that matter [that the US leads]?” “Why is this a global competition to you if every day Americans are still losing their lives and we are still seeing more cases every day?”
Trump’s transparent racism was there for all to see:
“Maybe that’s a question you should ask China.” “Don’t ask me. Ask China that question, OK?”
Trump wants to lay his own deadly mistake at China’s door. Trump is good at these kind of moves.
Jiang, who was born in China but has been in the US since she was 2-year-old, objected:
“Sir, why are you saying that to me, specifically?”
Trump’s lame answer:
“I’m telling you.” “I’m not saying it specifically to anybody. I’m saying it to anybody that asks a nasty question.”
Jiang retorted back:
“That’s not a nasty question.” “Why does it matter?”
Jiang should have reminded Trump:
“Mr. President, I am asking you because you are the one whose mismanagement has caused tens of thousands of deaths in the United States, not China.
“Also, your economic advisor Peter Navarro had
first warned you about the potential deadly threat on January 29; he then repeated this on February 23. In both memos, he projected deaths from half a million to two million, and economic losses in hundreds of trillions of dollars. Why didn’t you take action then and now wrongly blame China for your shortcomings. Be a man. Accept your deadly mistake and resign from your post.”
CNN’s White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins who had let Jiang go for a followup question was not allowed by Trump to ask any questions despite her insistence. Trump just ended his briefing, instead.
Collins should have shouted at Trump:
“Listen, Mr. President, this is not one of your Trump Towers and you are not a boss. The White House is a public property and you are here as a public servant and so are bound to answer our questions rather than throwing tanTrumps.”
Above have been some suggestions on handling chaotic and infantile press briefings with Trump that are now warranted to counter the terrible price people are paying here and in the world with this US president.
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com