CNN’s John King is expressing disapproval over the heated exchange between President Donald Trump and NBC News’ Peter Alexander.
During Friday’s White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing, Trump slammed Alexander for a question that he had asked. The exchange quickly caught the attention of the media and became one of the highlighted moments in the conference.
In case you missed it:
Q: What do you say to Americans who are scared
— Pod Save America (@PodSaveAmerica) March 20, 2020
TRUMP: "I say that you're a terrible reporter, that's what I say."
Unreal. pic.twitter.com/RJ1aJXJUUh
King offered his opinion on the exchange, insisting Alexander’s question was “fair.” Following the briefing, King discussed the exchange with CNN White House reporter Kaitlan Collins.
“The American people are looking for answers, they do want hope, they do want support, Mr. President. That was a very fair question,” he repeated.
He went on to say that Trump’s remark toward Alexander was a “bulls**t attack.”
“Kaitlan, this is a Trump trademark, it was striking that this came, this, forgive me, bulls**t attack on fake news came just moments after the Secretary of State said the American people needed to be careful about where they get their information, and go to sources they can trust.”
While King admitted that there are times when politicians and reporters will not always agree, he does not believe this is one of those times.
“I get there at times [of] disagreements, there are times contention between politicians and reporters,” King continued. “That was a 100 percent legitimate question with no hype, no shade, no bias, he just wanted to attack.”
Collins also weighed in noting that Alexander asked Vice President Mike Pence the same question and he “responded very differently, instead, telling Americans to be vigilant. He did not have any issues with that question the way that the president did.”
Check out the full exchange below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMCA74q3byo
King’s comments came shortly after Alexander, himself, was asked about the exchange.
He also defended himself and the question he asked. Like Collins, Alexander also noted that he had asked Pence the same question later in the briefing and received the answer.
He noted that Pence told the American people, “Don’t be afraid, be vigilant.” Alexander also believes the president should have been willing to provide for the American people.
Check out Alexander’s response below:
After being accused by @realDonaldTrump of "sensationalizing" for "Concast," @PeterAlexander says he was actually trying to give Trump a "softball" question to help give fearing Americans reassurances. pic.twitter.com/TOJONiYiLh
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 20, 2020
Over the last two weeks, many Americans have expressed concern about the uncertainties associated with the growing coronavirus outbreak.
In the last two weeks, coronavirus cases in the United States have increased, with more than 19,000 confirmed cases, as of early Saturday. Government officials are still working to slow the curve of the virus.