Trump Lashes Out At Ultra-Orthodox Reporter After Softball Question About Anti-Semitism
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
By Helen Chernikoff February 16, 2017
A reporter for a small ultra-Orthodox publication’s dream turned into a nightmare today when President Trump called on him during a rare solo press conference — and then slammed him.
The reporter, Jake Turx, had long wanted to participate in such a high-level event, even publicly begging spokesman Sean Spicer to call on him.
He asked Trump about the uptick in anti-Semitism in the United States — but only after carefully and at length reassuring the president that nobody in his own community, or on staff at Ami magazine, felt Trump personally was anti-Semitic.
Yet an accusation of personal anti-Semitism was all that Trump seemed to hear from Turx. He let loose with a flood of well-rehearsed lines.
“Number one, I am the least anti-Semitic person you have ever seen in your entire life,” he said.
“Number two, racism. I am the least racist person… [Turx] said he was going to ask a straightforward question,” Trump harrumphed. “Well, welcome to the land of the media. I hate the charge.”
“You heard Netanyahu, Bibi,” Trump continued, alluding to yesterday’s joint press conference with the Israeli prime minister. “He said, ‘I’ve known Donald a long time,’ and he said ‘Forget it,’” Trump concluded, referring to the change of anti-Semitism.
He told Turx to sit down, and Turx did so, taking to Twitter right away to start the process of rehabilitating himself.
President Trump clearly misunderstood my question. This is highly regretful and I’m going to seek clarification. #TrumpNewsConference
— Jake Turx (@JakeTurx) February 16, 2017
Contact Helen Chernikoff at[email protected]
Did you know that only 2% of Forward readers donate to support our nonprofit newsroom? That 2% make it possible for millions to read the Forward without a paywall or subscription — removing any barriers to the full and fair Jewish story.
But while the Forward is free to read, it isn’t free to produce. Big stories — like deep dives into the antisemitism data, political scoops or reporting trips to college campuses — take months of research and fact-checking. All while we keep you informed of what you need to know each day.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Forward Publisher & CEO
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
