white house White House corrects Trump's insult in press conference transcript

The White House on Tuesday corrected its official transcript of President Donald Trump's Monday press conference in which he insulted an ABC reporter.

At Monday's Rose Garden press conference, held to mark the trade deal agreement struck by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Trump called on ABC News' Cecilia Vega. As Vega was waiting for a microphone to be passed to her, Trump said, “she’s shocked that I picked her. Like in a state of shock.”


“I’m not, thank you, Mr. President," Vega responded.

"That’s okay. I know you’re not thinking, you never do," Trump replied.

The initial transcript, released several hours after the press conference, quoted as Trump saying, "I know you're not thanking. You never do."

Vega proceeded to ask a question about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh that Trump refused to answer, insisting that he would only take trade-related questions before moving on to other subjects. The president later returned to Vega, allowing her to ask her Kavanaugh question.

The exchange went viral online, with Vega tweeting: “A news conference means you get to ask whatever question you want to ask. #FirstAmendment.”