Members of the Coronavirus Task Force held a press briefing Friday to give an update on the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the briefing, President Donald Trump took questions from reporters and lambasted NBC’s White House correspondent, Peter Alexander, and the company he reports to for promoting “sensationalism”. The push back was the result of Alexander challenging the president’s statement that he was hopeful about the efficacy of a drug that may help with the coronavirus.
“What do you say to Americans who are scared though? I guess, nearly 200 dead, 14,000 sick, millions who are scared right now. What do you say to Americans that are watching right now who are scared?” Alexander asked the president.
“I say that you are a terrible reporter,” the Commander in Chief fired back. “I think it’s a very nasty question, and I think it’s a very bad signal that you’re putting out to the American people.”
“The American people are looking for answers and they’re looking for hope,” the president told Alexander. “And you’re doing sensationalism. And the same with NBC and Comcast. I don’t call it Comcast, I call it Concast, for whom you work.”
“Let me just tell you something: That’s really bad reporting. And you ought to get back to reporting instead of sensationalism,” President Trump recommended, then moved on to John Roberts from Fox News. But before taking the next question he pointed to Alexander and said, “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.” (Video Below)
President Trump’s official remarks with NBC’s Peter Alexander:
Full video of Trump's exchange with NBC's Peter Alexander shows:
1⃣Hopeful & optimistic Trump reassures Americans, says drug to treat coronavirus may be "gamechanger."
2⃣Alexander attacks Trump's positivity, accuses him of "misrepresenting," implies people should not have hope. pic.twitter.com/GQOqqa2hwq
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) March 20, 2020
Friday’s Coronavirus Task Force briefing:
