President Trump clashed with an NBC reporter Wednesday during a White House press conference. The heated exchange followed a question about the Pentagon accepting a Qatari jet to be used as Air Force One.
"The Pentagon announced that it would be accepting a Qatari jet to be used as Air Force One," the reporter asked. Trump didn’t hold back. "What are you talking about? You know, you ought to get out of here," he snapped.
The moment came right after Trump directed staff to dim the lights and show footage about the treatment of white farmers in South Africa. He was meeting with South Africa’s president at the time.
The Trump administration had just started welcoming white South African farmers to the U.S. over what it called “unjust racial discrimination.” Trump wasn’t having the topic changed.
"What does this have to do with the Qatari jet?" Trump shot back. He accused NBC of trying to divert attention from South African genocide. "They're giving the United States Air Force a jet. OK? And it's a great thing."
Trump wasn’t done. “You are a real … you know, you're a terrible reporter. No. 1, you don't have what it takes to be a reporter. You're not smart enough,” he said.
He continued slamming NBC, bringing up its parent company. “Brian Roberts and the people that run that place, they ought to be investigated. They are so terrible the way you run that network.”
Trump also claimed Qatar gave “$5.1 trillion worth of investment in addition to the jet.” Then he cut the reporter off completely. “No more questions from you,” he said.
“His name is Peter something. He's a terrible reporter,” Trump added before moving on to other reporters.