On Thursday afternoon, Donald Trump clashed with the media during a heated press conference at the White House. After making a variety of questionable remarks, he responded to allegations of racism.
Trump debunked
After dealing with the backlash of the Michael Flynn scandal and other issues in the White House, the president decided to hold a press conference on Thursday to announce his new nominee for Secretary of Labor. The previous nominee, Andrew Puzder, was replaced by Alexander Acosta after the former was accused of domestic abuse, while also losing support from Republicans in the Senate.
After making that announcement, Trump went on to rip the news media, accusing them of promoting "fake news" to the public. During a Q&A with reporters, the former host of "The Apprentice" clashed with CNN's Jim Acosta and accused the network of being "very fake news." At one point, the commander in chief was asked about the rise of racism and anti-Semitism since his election, and went on to give a questionable response. Not long after making the comment, backlash quickly followed across social media on February 16.
.@POTUS: "I am the least racist person... I hate the charge. I find it repulsive." pic.twitter.com/aNmrfMF0RG
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 16, 2017
"I am the least antisemitic person that you've ever seen in your entire life," Donald Trump responded.
"I am the least racist person," he went on to say, while also adding, "I hate the charge. I find it repulsive." In response, Twitter users were quick to fire back.
Wait for it... Any second #DonaldTrump will ask for a meeting with #FrederickDouglas.... #TrumpPressConference
— TrumpsTale (@EdGlen6) February 16, 2017
If Donald Trump had a nickel for every ridiculous thing out of his mouth, he'd have enough money for his wall by now #TrumpPressConference
— Dan Parzych (@DanParzych) February 16, 2017
"Least racist, maybe compared to Bannon, Miller," one Twitter user wrote.
"Donald Trump asked a black reporter to set up a meeting for him with the Congressional Black Caucus that he just learned existed," another social media user tweeted. "Donald Trump yelling at a black reporter to 'set up a meeting' with the black caucus is just...can't think of a description," another Twitter user added.
Donald Trump asked a black reporter to set up a meeting for him with the Congressional Black Caucus that he just learned existed.
— Anne Victoria Clark (@annev6) February 16, 2017
Donald Trump might be the most bigoted person to take office in my lifetime. Blatant xenophobic tendencies.
— Len (@LenM4) February 16, 2017
Continued reaction
"If Donald Trump had a nickel for every ridiculous thing out of his mouth, he'd have enough money for his wall by now," another tweet noted. "Wait for it... Any second #DonaldTrump will ask for a meeting with #FrederickDouglas," a humorous message stated. The reaction continued on Twitter, with another comment noting that the president "asked a black female journalists to set up a meeting with a black caucus. He said are they friends of yours?."
