Trump Asked A Black Reporter If She Would Set Up A Meeting With The Congressional Black Caucus

The president asked reporter April Ryan, “Are they friends of yours?”

February 16, 2017

During a combative press conference on Thursday, President Trump fielded questions from reporters regarding Russia, information leaked to the press from inside the White House, and more.

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Towards the end of the press conference, Trump called on April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks, saying, "I know this is going to be a bad question, but that's OK." Ryan asked about Trump's "urban agenda," and the president responded that an executive order was on the way. When Ryan asked if he planned to involve the Congressional Black Caucus, he asked Ryan repeatedly, "Do you want to set up the meeting?” and "Are they friends of yours?"

Moments before April Ryan's question, Trump responded to a question about the rise in anti-semitic attacks since his election. "Number one, I am the least anti-semitic person you've ever seen in your entire life. Number two, racism, the least racist person," he said.

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At the beginning of February, Ashley Killough, a congressional reporter for CNN, reported that leaders of the black, Hispanic, and Asian-American caucuses had reached out to Trump in November for a meeting but still had not heard back.

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Thumbnail image: Mark Wilson / Getty Images.

Trump Asked A Black Reporter If She Would Set Up A Meeting With The Congressional Black Caucus