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Trump accuses black reporter of asking 'such a racist question' and attacks CNN – live Trump claims 'great victory' in midterms and attacks media in fevered news conference – live
(35 minutes later)
US senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, has attacked the media for their behavior at the press conference this afternoon.
It’s apparent to me the White House press corps lives in a bubble and the way they are conducting themselves today will do NOTHING to improve their standing with the American people.
“Certain members of the press cannot stand the fact that President Donald Trump and Republicans defied expectations in the midterm elections – actually growing our Senate majority,” he continued. “The mainstream press are not – in my opinion – ‘Enemies of the People’ but rather ‘Allies of the Democratic Party’ playing an activist role in support of their agenda.”
Graham did not provide examples of how the media is supporting the Democratic agenda through their questions, which included asking what the president learned from the election result.
Trump himself appeared upset by a question asking whether he characterized migrants in Central America as an “invasion” to score political points.
Here’s a summary of where things stand:
The extent of the Democratic victory Tuesday night came into focus as the party flipped seven governor’s mansions and 333 state legislative seats, and gained full control of government in six states.
That was in addition to advancing successful ballot initiatives on criminal justice reform and voting rights, and to the big prize – winning a robust majority in the House of Representatives.
Donald Trump declared “complete victory” for Republicans and claimed that the loss of uniform Republican control of Congress would ease gridlock and was a success “from the standpoint of dealmaking.”
Trump warned that he would reply to oversight attempts by Democrats with retaliatory investigations that would cause governmental gridlock which he would then blame Democrats for.
In a pugnacious, interminable news conference, Trump nastily attacked an African American reporter for a question about whether his rhetoric emboldens white nationalists, calling it a “racist question.”
Trump also said “I am a great moral leader,” “This is a hot White House” and “I think people like me.”
The extent of Republican gains in the senate were unclear, with Democrat Bill Nelson calling for a recount in Florida, the Arizona race too close to call and Mississippi headed for a runoff.
In a sign of rejection of Trump, significant Democratic gains came in suburban and wealthier non-rural areas including in right-leaning cities and suburbs that had voted heavily for Trump.
Likely incoming majority leader declared that “health care won” in the election. Both Pelosi and Trump said they would try to work together on issues such as drug prices and infrastructure.
NEW: @NancyPelosi: "Health care was on the ballot, and health care won." https://t.co/QKK9VJ0K1i pic.twitter.com/6JubyJniSENEW: @NancyPelosi: "Health care was on the ballot, and health care won." https://t.co/QKK9VJ0K1i pic.twitter.com/6JubyJniSE
What did you think of that news conference?What did you think of that news conference?
The PBS reporter attacked by Trump for her question about white nationalism and the Republican party says “I’m simply asking the questions the public wants to know.”The PBS reporter attacked by Trump for her question about white nationalism and the Republican party says “I’m simply asking the questions the public wants to know.”
I asked President Trump what he thinks of people seeing his rhetoric as emboldening white nationalists and whether he was concerned that Republicans would be seen as supporting white nationalists.His response: "That's a racist question."I asked President Trump what he thinks of people seeing his rhetoric as emboldening white nationalists and whether he was concerned that Republicans would be seen as supporting white nationalists.His response: "That's a racist question."
I'm simply asking the questions the public wants to know. https://t.co/bZ1cZVBKhdI'm simply asking the questions the public wants to know. https://t.co/bZ1cZVBKhd
Trump concludes by saying “hopefully the tone can get a lot better but I really believe it begins with the media. We used to call it the press.”Trump concludes by saying “hopefully the tone can get a lot better but I really believe it begins with the media. We used to call it the press.”
Last question from the media: does it begin with you Mr President?Last question from the media: does it begin with you Mr President?
“I do have the right to fight back... I’m fighting back not for me, I’m fighting back for the people of this country.”“I do have the right to fight back... I’m fighting back not for me, I’m fighting back for the people of this country.”
Earned media.Earned media.
HOW TRUMP SEES PRESS CONFERENCES LIKE THIS ONE: When @HunterW encourages him to hold more press conferences because they lead to accountability, TRUMP corrects him: "It's called earned media. It's worth billions."HOW TRUMP SEES PRESS CONFERENCES LIKE THIS ONE: When @HunterW encourages him to hold more press conferences because they lead to accountability, TRUMP corrects him: "It's called earned media. It's worth billions."
On the deployment of the US military to the Mexican border announced by the president on the eve of the election: mission accomplished?On the deployment of the US military to the Mexican border announced by the president on the eve of the election: mission accomplished?
Day after the election, Pentagon announces no longer calling US military mission on southern border ‘Operation Faithful Patriot’. Now calling it ‘border support.” No reason given for the change.Day after the election, Pentagon announces no longer calling US military mission on southern border ‘Operation Faithful Patriot’. Now calling it ‘border support.” No reason given for the change.
Trump is asked about barriers to voting in Georgia, long lines to vote and other voting access issues in the state.Trump is asked about barriers to voting in Georgia, long lines to vote and other voting access issues in the state.
Trump denies there were access issues.Trump denies there were access issues.
“I heard it was very efficient in Georgia. I heard it was very efficient. But again you’re going to have to ask the state governments.”“I heard it was very efficient in Georgia. I heard it was very efficient. But again you’re going to have to ask the state governments.”
New question for Trump about his former aide Michael Cohen saying Trump repeatedly used racist remarks.New question for Trump about his former aide Michael Cohen saying Trump repeatedly used racist remarks.
“I don’t use racist remarks, and if I did, you people would know about it... I have never used racist remarks,” Trump says.“I don’t use racist remarks, and if I did, you people would know about it... I have never used racist remarks,” Trump says.
The reporter points out that Trump’s claim of great popularity among African Americans is false: it’s 8%.The reporter points out that Trump’s claim of great popularity among African Americans is false: it’s 8%.
President Trump has denied @swin24’s story that he repeatedly called rapper and ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ contestant Lil Jon “Uncle Tom.”“I don’t know who that is.” https://t.co/9SF2eXoXlwPresident Trump has denied @swin24’s story that he repeatedly called rapper and ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ contestant Lil Jon “Uncle Tom.”“I don’t know who that is.” https://t.co/9SF2eXoXlw
Trump is asked whether the Republican party has supported white nationalists. He says “it’s a very racist question” and calls the reporter a “terrible person.” Nice.
Update: the reporter was Yamiche Alcindor of PBS Newshour, an African American reporter.
@Yamiche asks Trump about calling himself a nationalist. "Such a racist question!" Trump interrupts her as she tries to ask him about his rhetoric.
This is the definition of gaslighting. https://t.co/aZTfGlp2Ar
The AP has called the Montana senate race for Jon Tester. As Trump brags about his political Midas touch, he fails to eject a senator he would have most liked to dispatch.
Trump said he was not kidding when he said Nancy Pelosi deserves the Speaker gavel.
“She’s fought long and hard, she’s a very capable person.”
“If she has a problem, I think I would very easily be able to supply her with the necessary votes.”
“I think we’ll get a lot done.”
Trump says he thinks bipartisan comity will happen. “Now the election’s over. Now everybody is in love. But it’s a very hostile room.”
A question about the rise in hate crimes and anti-semitic incidents during the Trump presidency.
Trump replies that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called him a great friend of Israel. “Nobody has done more for Isreal than Donald Trump.”
An irrelevant answer. The reporter tries again: What about divides in US?
A second irrelevant answer. Trump says the strong economy will help then starts dispensing economic statistics. “China would have superseded us in two years as an economic power, now they’re not even close.”
Then he riffs on China.
The reporter tries again: How do you see yourself as a moral leader?
I think I am a great moral leader, and I love our country.
Trump: “I’d be very good at a low tone, but when things are done not correctly about you... you have to defend yourself...when you’re not treated fairly you really have no choice.”
Trump seems to be enjoying himself. Reflecting on his job, mixing it up a bit with reporters, taking question after question. Soaking up the attention, presidenting.
A Japanese reporter asks a question and Trump says he doesn’t understand the accent but the reporter should “say hello to Shinzo.”
Trump advances a voter suppression conspiracy theory in some elections polling.
“There were victories last night that nobody would believe, especially under the suppression polls, there were a lot of suppression polls.”
Trump is asked whether the pitched emotional tenor that has defined the national discourse, the dark national mood and incidents of violence might be put in the past.
He takes it as a question about the media. “If they would cover me fairly, which they don’t...
“I would love to see unity, including with the media. I’d be honest. I think it’s an amazingly divisive thing... It really does bring disunity.”
Then he barks down a reporter trying to ask a question. “Excuse me, you were not called on.”
Trump is asked whether Russian president Vladimir Putin called to congratulate him and whether they’ll see each other next week at events in France to mark the centenary of the end of World War One.
Trump says he’s looking forward to the ceremony but “I don’t think we have time set aside for the meeting... we will be having a lunch...”
Asked about staff turnover, Trump says “people leave.” He says “it’s an exhausting job” but “I love doing it.”
“We have many people lined up for” jobs in the White House, Trump says.
We are a hot country. This is a hot White House. This is a White House that people want to work with.
Trump predicts “much less gridlock” after the loss of the Republican House majority.
“I think it was a great victory... I really believe there is going to be much less gridlock because of the way this is going.”
Your own party losing its majority easing gridlock on Capitol Hill.
Trump is asked about last night’s losses, which he denies, then says they were a good thing:
I thought it was a very close to complete victory. When you look at it from the standpoint of negotiation. When you look at it from the standpoint of dealmaking.