President Donald Trump attacked a reporter for asking a question about Americans scared of the coronavirus pandemic during a White House press conference Friday.

“What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared?” NBC’s Peter Alexander asked Trump.

“I say that you are a terrible reporter, that’s what I say. It’s a very nasty question. It’s a very bad signal that you’re putting out to the American people,” Trump responded. “The American people are looking for answers and looking for hope. You’re doing sensationalism.”

Trump also criticized NBC News and Comcast, further berating Alexander: “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.” NBC, which previously broadcast Trump’s reality show “The Apprentice,” is a subsidiary of Comcast.

.@PeterAlexander: What do you say to Americans, who are watching you right now, who are scared?"



President Trump: "I say that you're a terrible reporter. That's what I say. I think it's a very nasty question. And I think it's a very bad signal that you're putting out..." pic.twitter.com/IHzMs9hKtj — CSPAN (@cspan) March 20, 2020

Huffington Post reports another reporter then asked Trump the same question as Alexander, and the president changed his response.

“My message to the American people is that there is a very low incidence of death ― you understand that ― and we’re going to come through this stronger than ever before,” he said. “If you happen to get it, it is highly unlikely ― it’s looking like it’s getting to a number that is much smaller than people originally thought in terms of the ultimate problem, which would be death. My message to the American people is number one, you’ve done an incredible job... There is tremendous hope.”

Trump was speaking during an update on the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic alongside Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci.

According to Mediaite, another moment from the presser went viral when Trump joked about the “Deep State."

“Secretary of State Pompeo is extremely busy so if you have any question for him right now, could you do that?” Trump said. “Because you know what I’d like to do, I’d like for him to go back to the State Department, or as they call it, the Deep State Department. You know, Mike.”

Dr. Fauci reacted visibly, appearing to cover his face with his hands at the reference to a “deep state.”

The president’s apparent anger on display as he used the derogatory term “Deep State Department” and Dr Fauci reacted by putting his hand over his face. Watch. pic.twitter.com/Ks7j4WciVt — Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) March 20, 2020

“Was it appropriate for the president to call your department the ‘Deep State Department’ at a time when thousands of diplomats are working very hard around the world to combat this pandemic?” a reporter asked Pompeo afterwards.

“I know how much he values the people on my team," Pompeo responded.

During the press conference, Trump announced that he has invoked the Defense Production Act to get needed medical supplies to help with coronavirus treatment. He also announced an agreement with Mexico to close the U.S. Southern border, days after doing the same with Canada.

The Associated Press reports Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, has openly corrected Trump at several media briefings this week. On Thursday, Trump said he believed that a combination of medications would would work to treat the virus. Fauci said no such declaration could be made without testing.

More than 14,000 Americans have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. At least 200 have died in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University.

I offered both Pres Trump and VP Pence an opportunity to reassure Americans.



Simple question: “What do you say to Americans who are scared?”



Trump, to me: “I say, you’re a terrible reporter.”



Pence, an hour later: “Don’t be afraid. Be vigilant.” — Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) March 20, 2020

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