This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-asks-black-reporter-to-setup-meeting-with-congressional-black-caucus-april-ryan-a7584621.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Trump asks black reporter to set up meeting with Congressional Black Caucus 'Are they friends of yours?': Donald Trump asks black reporter to set up meeting with black Congress members
(about 13 hours later)
President Donald Trump on Thursday asked April Ryan, a veteran African American journalist, if she would help set up a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus. Donald Trump has asked a black reporter to set up a meeting with her "friends" in a group representing African American members of Congress after being questioned on his policy for inner cities.
"When you say the inner cities, are you going to include the CBC, Mr President, in your conversations with your urban agenda, inner city agenda?" she asked the President at a White House news conference. "I know this is gonna be a bad question," the President said as April Ryan stood to speak at a press conference.
“I’ll tell you what, do you want to set up the meeting?” he asked. She responded by telling the President that she’s a reporter. “Are they friends of yours?” he then asked. “So set up the meeting.” The veteran broadcaster, who serves as the Washington bureau chief for American Urban Radio Networks, asked Mr Trump to expand on his campaign pledge to "fix" crime in US cities.
She replied by saying,  “I know some of them, but I’m sure they’re watching right now.” “When you say the inner cities, are you going to include the Congressional Black Causus (CBC) in your conversations with your urban agenda?” she asked, after the President claimed parts of Chicago were "worse than almost any of the places in the Middle East".
“I would love to meet with the black caucus,” President Trump responded, “I think it’s great.” “I’ll tell you what, do you want to set up the meeting?” Mr Trump replied. “Are they friends of yours? So set up the meeting.”
After the press conference, Ms Ryan addressed the racially charged incident on Twitter. “I am a journalist not a convener!” she wrote. “But thank you for answering my questions.” He added: “I would love to meet with the black caucus. I think it’s great.”
The Congressional Black Caucus also responded, “Hi, @realDonaldTrump,” We’re the CBC. We sent you a letter on January 19, but you never wrote us back. Sad!” Ms Ryan could be heard repeating "I'm just a reporter", adding: “I know some of them, I’m sure they’re watching right now.”
Prior to the exchange, President Trump answered a question about the recent uptick in anti-Semitic hate crimes across the country. He responded by making the question about himself. “I am the least anti-semitic person that you've ever seen in your entire life,” he told reporters. “Number two: racism, I am the least racist person." The journalist told CNN she was "shocked" by the exchange, which came during a chaotic press conference that saw the President repeatedly attack gathered journalists.
The CBC, which includes both Republicans and Democrats, responded with a tweet reading: “Hi, @realDonaldTrump,” We’re the CBC. We sent you a letter on January 19, but you never wrote us back. Sad!”
Ms Ryan later reported that the White House had invited the CBC to set up a meeting, although no date had been set.
Prior to the exchange, Mr Trump answered a question about the recent increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes across the US. He responded by describing himself as "the least anti-Semitic person that you've ever seen in your entire life," adding: “Number two: racism, I am the least racist person."