White House Transcript Edits Trump's Dig That Female Reporter 'Never' Thinks
The White House used its official transcript to refashion President Donald Trump’s dismissive and insulting comment to a female reporter on Monday.
When Trump called on journalist Cecilia Vega of ABC News during the Rose Garden press conference, he also denigrated her intelligence:
Jeez. @CeciliaVega tells Trump she isn't shocked he called on her. Trump says "I know you weren't thinking, you never do." pic.twitter.com/PX6ReNYZ0Y
— Tommy Christopher (@tommyxtopher) October 1, 2018
But the official White House transcript dismissed the video evidence and claimed that he said: “I know you’re not thanking; you never do.”
Official @WhiteHouse transcripts misquotes @POTUS today chiding @CeciliaVega (compare video to text). I was sitting just behind her in the Rose Garden and we all clearly heard him say: "I know you're not thinking. You never do.” https://t.co/Q2frFLjpKx pic.twitter.com/vIYoYOzXrS
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) October 2, 2018
White House issued a corrected transcript on Tuesday morning.
Trump also refused to answer Vega’s question about the FBI investigation into Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh because he wanted to talk about the new trade deal with Canada and Mexico. And when CCN reporter Kaitlan Collins asked a similar question about Kavanaugh, Trump told her she wasn’t “nice.”
After the press conference, Vega tweeted about the incident:
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A news conference means you get to ask whatever question you want to ask. #FirstAmendment
— Cecilia Vega (@CeciliaVega) October 1, 2018
Vega also received plenty of support on Twitter:
Bless you Cecilia for keeping your cool and composure. That exchange was awful and Trump’s a bully acting out. Great job keeping your focus!
— Misunderstood Ninja (Wu Tang Name) aka Theresa (@TBoisseauATX) October 1, 2018
Love how you handled Trumps rude remark! “Excuse me?” Yeah he better back down! 😂👍
— Peter Scartabello Composer (@scartabello) October 1, 2018
She was polite. He was rude.
— Jo Blackwood (@joblackwood3) October 1, 2018
is anyone surprised that he rudely skipped questions from not one, but two Female reporters?
The only reason he can call News #FakeNews is because they are covering a #FakePresident
This man is dispicable.#Resist— Shawn.M.D. (@Shawn_md) October 1, 2018
Dictators tell the press what questions they may ask.
— DJ Brjndige (@UnusuallyFlexib) October 1, 2018
Fox news can spend all they’re time doing propaganda for Trump, the rest of the press are there to ask the hard questions . You don’t like it? Go to North Korea or Russia or Venezuela pic.twitter.com/ak75Ur1OPZ
— Oliverio Zapata (@iamoliverio) October 2, 2018
This article has been updated to show that the White House released an updated transcript.
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
