Trump draws rebuke for scolding female reporters of color

White House

'I watch you a lot, you ask a lot of stupid questions,' Trump told CNN reporter Abby Phillip, who is black.

During the day on Friday about CNN reporter Jim Acosta, President Donald Trump turned to another reporter, April Ryan.

"Trump said of Ryan, a White House match for American Urban Radio Networks who is African American. "She does not know what the hell she's doing."

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During the White House, Trump continued to criticize reporters and went on after another reporter of color.

"What a stupid question that is. What a stupid question, "he told CNN reporter Abby Phillip after she asked if Trump wants Whitaker to" rein in Mueller. "

"But I watch you a lot, you ask a lot of stupid questions," the president continued to answer.

Journals, media groups and academics immediately started speaking, saying the remarks revealed to the President of the House of Commons, including PBS NewsHour White House correspond Yamiche Alcindor, with whom he also quarreled this weekend. While the president insults many journalists, these critics say his barbs targeting women and people of color, especially sharp, and hit the reporter's basic intelligence and competence as a person. It is a black and white story that African-American journalists are not allowed into the White House until 1947 – and that the White House press corps remains overwhelmingly white to this day.

"Things have gottententen between the president and the press, but this is unlike anything we've seen since African Americans were first allowed into the White House to report," said Marcia Chatelain, an African-American studies professor at Georgetown. University. Alice Allison Dunnigan was the first African-American to serve as White House match, which she gained access to in 1947.

"Although we have a 70-year history of African-American reporters being brought in to the White House, it seems that this president wants to extend beyond the years when they were banned," she added.

Trump's comments towards Ryan, Philip and Alcindor were "appalling, irresponsible and should be denounced."

"The most powerful man in the world is verbally abusing journalists," NABJ President Sarah Glover said. "The past two years have been filled with assaults on the media and we have reached an all-time low level with female journalists."

Trump's also drew attention as they repeatedly came back to the chair, saying that he did not understand them. To some media observers, Trump's reactions echoed reports that Trump has previously mocked the accent of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi or mimicked the style of Asian trade negotiators.

Chatelain said Trump's behavior is moving towards people of color and women, even as he continues to denounce many members of the media as "fake news."

"These reporters really represent three segments of the population that this president has often used in his deepest hostilities, and his deepest held racism," said Chatelain.Trump has repeatedly shot down suggestions that he is racist.

One of Trump's most hostile exchanges with Alcindor when she asked Trump whether he worries his rhetoric is emboldening white nationalists.

"That's such a racist question," Trump fired back, adding that the question "is so insulting to me."

Of course, Trump has frequently sparred with white reporters, as well. Trump told Washington Post reporter Josh Dawsey this week that one of his questions was "stupid," echoing the language he used with Phillip. He also went after NBC News's Peter Alexander on Wednesday, calling him "fake news." And he has spotted some reporters of color, such as Fox White House correspond Kevin Corke, who is black.

But reporters say Ryan, Phillip and Alcindor. For instance, while Trump dismissed Dawsey's question as stupid, he went on a step further with Phillip by noting "I watch you a lot" and that she asks "a lot of stupid questions." With Ryan, he added that he was a "loser."

Critics say the additions are meant to undercut the person's entire character, value and intelligence, not just their professional conduct. They see a pattern, pointing to an interaction this year with ABC White House News correspond Cecilia Vega when Trump said she "never thinks." Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who is black, "not qualified," citing "her past" and "her history" without offering specifics.

The journalists who were the target of Trump 's defended each other on Friday.

Alcindor in a tweet came to Phillip's and Ryan's defense, calling Phillip "a smart, professional, and hardworking journalist." Not only was his question to be "Trump not stupid, it was asked in public service because it's what people want to know."

In a separate tweet, Alcindor said Ryan is "not a loser" and has "been winning in her personal and professional lives for a while."

Press advocates worried, though, that Trump might bar these reporters from the White House if they continue to hit him with tough questions.

The White House this week revoked Acosta's access credentials would be reinstated. And Trump warned Friday that other reporters could have their security badges revoked, too.

"As far as I'm concerned, I have not made that decision," Trump said of restoring Acosta's press pass. "But there could be others too."