President Donald Trump says CNN does not “write the truth” and refused to answer a question from the network’s Kaitlan Collins.
During a press conference on Thursday, Collins asked Trump if he had spoken to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after reports that Un was in critical condition.
“I don’t want to say, I won’t say that,” Trump responded.
Collins then tried to ask Trump about Dr. Rick Bright, the former head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), who claimed he was reassigned from his position after he pushed back on the use of chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate — which Trump has touted as a potential cure for the coronavirus.
“No, not CNN please,” Trump said as Collins tried to ask her question. He added, “CNN is fake news. Don’t talk to me.”
When Collins asked Trump if he had a response to Bright’s allegations, he turned away for a couple of seconds, then called on a different reporter.
Watch the video below:
Trump torches CNN reporter:
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) April 23, 2020
REPORTER: "Can I ask you a question —"
TRUMP: "No, not CNN please… CNN is fake news. Don’t talk to me." pic.twitter.com/IG7blp41w7
Bright shared his allegations in a statement to The New York Times, as IJR has previously reported. On Thursday, his lawyers said he would ask for an inspector general review of the circumstances leading to his reassignment.
JUST IN: Attorneys for Rick BRIGHT who claims he was removed from his post for pushing back against Trump's promotion of hydroxychloroquine, say he'll be filing a whistleblower complaint with the HHS inspector general. pic.twitter.com/aBob3m5vRK
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) April 23, 2020
However, Politico reports that the Trump administration had been trying to remove Bright since last year. Additionally, Bright reportedly praised the acquisition of the two drugs in internal emails.