A Jewish Reporter Got To Ask Trump A Question. It Didn't Go Well.

[CageTheBengal]

Did anyone else see this? I got the pleasure of watching it live and it was pretty ugly to see Trump silence reporters as soon as he saw the direction the question was going. It wasn't that way with just Turx it happened throughout the whole press conference, as soon as he got wind that the question wasn't "friendly" he'd interrupt them and "answer" the question with mindless non-sense rambling that made zero sense. Multiple times during the press conference he is talking about Hillary Clinton and the election still, it's absolutely pathetic.

It was literally impossible for him to understand what these people were asking because he hardly let them finish a question.

Can anyone find a legitimate reason to excuse this?

Quote:Jake Turx is a newly minted White House correspondent for a publication that has never before had a seat in the White House press corps: Ami Magazine, an Orthodox Jewish weekly based in Brooklyn. He is a singular presence in the briefing room: a young Hasidic Jew with side curls tucked behind his ears and a skullcap embroidered with his Twitter handle.


When President Trump called on him at a news conference on Thursday, saying he was looking for a “friendly reporter,” Mr. Turx was prepared. He had spent an hour crafting a question about a recent surge of anti-Semitism, with a preamble that he hoped would convey his supportive disposition toward Mr. Trump.
But the exchange did not go the way he expected. A few hours later, with the clip replaying on social media and Jewish groups issuing news releases, Mr. Turx, 30, was still reeling. He said in a telephone interview, “Regretfully, today was a day I wish we could have done over.”
His editor, Rabbi Yitzchok Frankfurter, watched aghast from the magazine’s offices as his young correspondent received a tongue-lashing from the president: “It was a very disheartening moment for us, to watch him being berated.”
Continue reading the main story


The exchange began with Mr. Turx standing up from his third-row seat and gesturing slightly toward his fellow reporters:
“Despite what some of my colleagues may have been reporting, I haven’t seen anybody in my community accuse either yourself or anyone on your staff of being anti-Semitic. We understand that you have Jewish grandchildren. You are their zayde,” which is Yiddish for “grandfather” and often a word of great affection.
At that Mr. Trump nodded slightly, and said, “thank you.”

“However,” Mr. Turx continued, “what we are concerned about and what we haven’t really heard being addressed is an uptick in anti-Semitism and how the government is planning to take care of it. There’s been a report out that 48 bomb threats have been made against Jewish centers all across the country in the last couple of weeks. There are people committing anti-Semitic acts or threatening to——”

At that, Mr. Trump interrupted, saying it was “not a fair question.”

“Sit down,” the president commanded. “I understand the rest of your question.”

As Mr. Turx took his seat, Mr. Trump said, “So here’s the story, folks. No. 1, I am the least anti-Semitic person that you’ve ever seen in your entire life. No. 2, racism, the least racist person.”

Mr. Turx tried to interject, realizing how the encounter had turned. He said he had wanted to clarify that he in no way meant to accuse Mr. Trump of anti-Semitism but instead intended to ask what his administration could do to stop the anti-Semitic incidents.

But Mr. Trump would not let him speak again, saying, “Quiet, quiet, quiet.” As Mr. Turx shook his head with an incredulous look on his face, Mr. Trump accused him of having lied that his question would be straight and simple.

Mr. Trump said, “I find it repulsive. I hate even the question because people that know me. …”

He went on to say that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, during his visit to the United States on Wednesday, had vouched for Mr. Trump as a good friend of Israel and the Jewish people and no anti-Semite.

Mr. Trump concluded that Mr. Turx should have relied on Mr. Netanyahu’s endorsement, “instead of having to get up and ask a very insulting question like that.”
“Just shows you about the press, but that’s the way the press is,” Mr. Trump said.

At the news conference, Mr. Turx was referring to a rash of incidents that have shaken many American Jews since Mr. Trump was elected. On three separate days in January, Jewish synagogues, community centers and schools across the country received what seemed to be a coordinated wave of telephone bomb threats that led to evacuations and F.B.I. investigations. Other Jewish institutions have seen an uptick in vandalism and graffiti in the last few months.
First Draft

It was the second time in two days that Mr. Trump was asked to denounce anti-Semitism and offer American Jews a dose of reassurance. In his joint news conference with Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Trump responded to a question about anti-Semitism by breezily recounting the size of his Electoral College victory and then reminding the reporters that his daughter, Ivanka, his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and their three children — Mr. Trump’s grandchildren — are all Jewish.
The Anti-Defamation League issued a statement on Thursday that said, “It is mind-boggling why President Trump prefers to shout down a reporter or brush this off as a political distraction.”

David Harris, chief executive of the American Jewish Committee, said, “Respectfully, Mr. President, please use your bully pulpit not to bully reporters asking questions potentially affecting millions of fellow Americans, but rather to help solve a problem that, for many, is real and menacing.”

Surveys show that Mr. Trump was not the choice of the majority of American Jews, who tend to vote for Democrats and came out in force for Hillary Clinton. Many Jews have been critical of Mr. Trump for not more forcefully denouncing anti-Semites and racists like David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan who endorsed Mr. Trump during the campaign. Many Jewish leaders are also wary of Stephen K. Bannon, Mr. Trump’s White House strategist, because of the close affinity between Breitbart News, which he once ran, and the white supremacists in the movement known as the alt-right.
But Mr. Trump was popular among many Orthodox Jews. They were reassured
 to see the Orthodox Jews in his family and attracted to his hawkish line on Israel, his support of vouchers for religious schools and his promise to ban Muslim immigrants from entering the country.

Rechy Frankfurter and her husband, Rabbi Frankfurter, founded Ami Magazine more than six years ago to serve a conservative Jewish audience. It circulates in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia and is one of several English-language news publications serving the ultra-Orthodox community. Ami Magazine comes out weekly and has three sister publications: one for women, one for teens and a cooking magazine called Whisk.

The magazine interviewed Mr. Trump before he declared he was running for president and did so again during the campaign.
“We didn’t do a political endorsement of him, but I really wanted the president to be elected, and I do want him to succeed,” said Rabbi Frankfurter, the editor in chief.
Mrs. Frankfurter, the magazine’s senior editor, said it was clear that Mr. Trump was not an anti-Semite and that Mr. Trump “must have misheard the question” from the magazine’s reporter. “The president is very sensitive to such an accusation, and we find the fact that he’s sensitive to it reassuring,” she said, because it means he understands how awful it is to be thought of as an anti-Semite.

Rabbi Frankfurter, whose parents survived the Holocaust, said, “Perhaps the president should speak out more vigorously than he has. He’s got a bully pulpit, and he should use it for good reasons.”

After the news conference, Mr. Turx, a pen name, said that he had had conversations on Thursday evening with White House staff members and that he and members of the Orthodox Jewish community were “extremely confident” that the White House would give “the proper help, guidance and collaboration” on anti-Semitism.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/17/us/politics/trump-press-conference-jake-turx.html?ref=politics

[BmorePat87]

He's frail. Even with the reporter prefacing it with "you're not anti-semitic and your staff isn't", Trump can't even listen to someone talk about those bomb threats against Jewish children without thinking he is being accused of something.

This is what happens when you elect a thin skinned asshole

[*PhilHos*]

(02-17-2017, 01:07 PM)CageTheBengal Wrote: Did anyone else see this? I got the pleasure of watching it live and it was pretty ugly to see Trump silence reporters as soon as he saw the direction the question was going. It wasn't that way with just Turx it happened throughout the whole press conference, as soon as he got wind that the question wasn't "friendly" he'd interrupt them and "answer" the question with mindless non-sense rambling that made zero sense. Multiple times during the press conference he is talking about Hillary Clinton and the election still, it's absolutely pathetic.

It was literally impossible for him to understand what these people were asking because he hardly let them finish a question.

Can anyone find a legitimate reason to excuse this?






https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/17/us/politics/trump-press-conference-jake-turx.html?ref=politics

I didn't see the encounter in question, but based on this article, it sounds as if Trump thought the reporter was asking a loaded question or one that was implying Trump was anti-Semitic. On one hand, can you blame him for responding that way, if he did? Trump has been accused of just about every -ism short of ageism, none of which have been proven definitively, so you can sort of understand him not wanting to go there.

On the other hand, Trump should really wait until at least one question is asked before jumping in and not answering it.

To be fair, most politicians and presidents don't really answer the questions they're asked. They dance around the answer, particularly the more difficult to answer ones, and make it seem like they're answering when, in fact, they're just trying to obfuscate things so you'll forget the question they were asked. Clearly something Trump does not know how to do.

[CageTheBengal]

(02-17-2017, 01:26 PM)PhilHos Wrote: I didn't see the encounter in question, but based on this article, it sounds as if Trump thought the reporter was asking a loaded question or one that was implying Trump was anti-Semitic. On one hand, can you blame him for responding that way, if he did? Trump has been accused of just about every -ism short of ageism, none of which have been proven definitively, so you can sort of understand him not wanting to go there.

On the other hand, Trump should really wait until at least one question is asked before jumping in and not answering it.

To be fair, most politicians and presidents don't really answer the questions they're asked. They dance around the answer, particularly the more difficult to answer ones, and make it seem like they're answering when, in fact, they're just trying to obfuscate things so you'll forget the question they were asked. Clearly something Trump does not know how to do.

The thing that bothers me is you have a guy who has been accused of sexism, racism and all sorts of other prejudices that legitimately scare people who are minorities and he can't respond in a better way than that? If you're not any of those things it shouldn't be hard to defend yourself.

Saying you are the most tolerable person ever over and over again doesn't fly, it's insulting because it's obvious he isn't and it does nothing to comport those people.Trump just doubles down on his ideas instead of taking a step back and realizing reporters keep bringing some of these issues up because they have merit and he should listen to what they have to say.

Whether it's a loaded question or Trump doesn't think it's very friendly doesn't matter imo. Especially since he thinks every time someone brings up a fact people are just trying to be mean to him. The reporters have their job and he has his if he really believes he is honest and stands by his work then let that speak for itself instead of being insecure.

[GMDino]

(02-17-2017, 01:26 PM)PhilHos Wrote: I didn't see the encounter in question, but based on this article, it sounds as if Trump thought the reporter was asking a loaded question or one that was implying Trump was anti-Semitic. On one hand, can you blame him for responding that way, if he did? Trump has been accused of just about every -ism short of ageism, none of which have been proven definitively, so you can sort of understand him not wanting to go there.

On the other hand, Trump should really wait until at least one question is asked before jumping in and not answering it.

To be fair, most politicians and presidents don't really answer the questions they're asked. They dance around the answer, particularly the more difficult to answer ones, and make it seem like they're answering when, in fact, they're just trying to obfuscate things so you'll forget the question they were asked. Clearly something Trump does not know how to do.

(02-17-2017, 01:19 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: He's frail. Even with the reporter prefacing it with "you're not anti-semitic and your staff isn't", Trump can't even listen to someone talk about those bomb threats against Jewish children without thinking he is being accused of something.

This is what happens when you elect a thin skinned asshole

[Benton]

(02-17-2017, 01:26 PM)PhilHos Wrote: . On one hand, can you blame him for responding that way, if he did? .

yes. He's the president, he's held to a higher standard. Its part of the job.

like parenting. Its a role with a lot of responsibility. Step up or get out of the way.

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

(02-17-2017, 01:26 PM)PhilHos Wrote: I didn't see the encounter in question, but based on this article, it sounds as if Trump thought the reporter was asking a loaded question or one that was implying Trump was anti-Semitic. On one hand, can you blame him for responding that way, if he did? Trump has been accused of just about every -ism short of ageism, none of which have been proven definitively, so you can sort of understand him not wanting to go there.

On the other hand, Trump should really wait until at least one question is asked before jumping in and not answering it.

To be fair, most politicians and presidents don't really answer the questions they're asked. They dance around the answer, particularly the more difficult to answer ones, and make it seem like they're answering when, in fact, they're just trying to obfuscate things so you'll forget the question they were asked. Clearly something Trump does not know how to do.

Trump definitely knows how to not answer a question. 

[*PhilHos*]

(02-17-2017, 01:44 PM)CageTheBengal Wrote: The thing that bothers me is you have a guy who has been accused of sexism, racism and all sorts of other prejudices that legitimately scare people who are minorities and he can't respond in a better way than that? If you're not any of those things it shouldn't be hard to defend yourself.

To be fair, he's CONSTANTLY been accused of those things since before he secured the nomination. If you were constantly called those things after months and months, wouldn't you get fed up with it?

With that said, he most definitely needs to respond in a far better manner (and, in conjunction with that, it would behoove him to just stay off Twitter completely).

(02-17-2017, 01:44 PM)CageTheBengal Wrote: Saying you are the most tolerable person ever over and over again doesn't fly, it's insulting because it's obvious he isn't and it does nothing to comport those people

As humorous as it is to hear someone say they are the least racist or anti-semitic one can be, I truly think he believes it.

(02-17-2017, 01:44 PM)CageTheBengal Wrote: Trump just doubles down on his ideas instead of taking a step back and realizing reporters keep bringing some of these issues up because they have merit and he should listen to what they have to say.

Whether it's a loaded question or Trump doesn't think it's very friendly doesn't matter imo. Especially since he thinks every time someone brings up a fact people are just trying to be mean to him. The reporters have their job and he has his if he really believes he is honest and stands by his work then let that speak for itself instead of being insecure.

Here's the thing, there has definitely been biases in the media and I think this is Trump's way of trying to combat that. However, I'm reasonably confident he'll fail in making the media less biased and will succeed in only making them more antagonistic towards him.

[*PhilHos*]

(02-17-2017, 02:01 PM)Benton Wrote: yes. He's the president, he's held to a higher standard. Its part of the job.

like parenting. Its a role with a lot of responsibility. Step up or get out of the way.

While I agree that I would rather Trump respond in a far more mature manner, he's allowed to respond to attacks in any way he wants so long as he's not abusing his authority in doing so.

[BmorePat87]

(02-17-2017, 02:08 PM)PhilHos Wrote: To be fair, he's CONSTANTLY been accused of those things since before he secured the nomination.

But the guy prefaced it by saying that no one in his hasidic community SAYS those things but they want to know what he will do, as the grandfather of Jewish children, in response to, among other things, threats against Jewish children. 

This wasn't an attack. It was a plea. 

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(02-17-2017, 01:19 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: He's frail. Even with the reporter prefacing it with "you're not anti-semitic and your staff isn't", Trump can't even listen to someone talk about those bomb threats against Jewish children without thinking he is being accused of something.

This is what happens when you elect a thin skinned asshole

This is what happens when a person is constantly called an anti-semitic racist for 18 months. It becomes a conditioned reflex to ignore and/or become hostile when the topic is even brought up.

Can't have a year-and-a-half long endless attack campaign against a guy and then say "Why so defensive, bro?"

[BmorePat87]

(02-17-2017, 03:24 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: This is what happens when a person is constantly called an anti-semitic racist for 18 months. It becomes a conditioned reflex to ignore and/or become hostile when the topic is even brought up.

Can't have a year-and-a-half long endless attack campaign against a guy and then say "Why so defensive, bro?"

The President needs to be able to brush that off and not throw a tantrum every time the topic is brought up, especially if it is prefaced with the person saying they do not believe that the President is racist/anti-semitic/misogynist etc. 

We should hold the person who holds this office to a pretty high standard. 

[*bfine32*]

(02-17-2017, 01:44 PM)CageTheBengal Wrote: The thing that bothers me is you have a guy who has been accused of sexism, racism and all sorts of other prejudices that legitimately scare people who are minorities and he can't respond in a better way than that? If you're not any of those things it shouldn't be hard to defend yourself.

It appears that POTUS owes Mr Turx an apology; as his response was inappropriate to the question posed.

As to it not being hard for Trump to defend himself: Are you for real?

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(02-17-2017, 03:36 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: The President needs to be able to brush that off and not throw a tantrum every time the topic is brought up, especially if it is prefaced with the person saying they do not believe that the President is racist/anti-semitic/misogynist etc. 

We should hold the person who holds this office to a pretty high standard. 

Should have been clearer. I wasn't saying I approved of his response, I was merely saying I understood where it was coming from.

Understanding =/= Agreeing

He's being called a racist, facist, nazi. His wife is being called a hooker and being blacklisted by a bunch of retail companies. His 10-year-old son is being called autistic and a school shooter. So yeah, the President does need to be able to brush some of it off, but people also need to stop being so shitty. I don't want Trump as my President, I didn't vote for him, but he is, so I am hoping for the best now. Doesn't mean you should attack people's family and wage billion dollar campaigns upon comparing someone to some of the worst people in human history.

This election and it's aftermath I fear has led this country into opening just a huge pandora's box of shittiness that will be rained down upon every President by the opposing side, progressively getting worse and worse until something breaks.

[*Nately120*]

(02-17-2017, 04:57 PM)bfine32 Wrote: It appears that POTUS owes Mr Turx an apology; as his response was inappropriate to the question posed.

As to it not being hard for Trump to defend himself: Are you for real?

I think the issue is that Trump has never needed to defend himself, so why start now?  Something about having the combination of having a bazillion dollars and a fanbase that accepts the notion that the most powerful man in the world is a perpetual victim leads accountability to atrophy.

We elected Trump because he doesn't have to explain himself and because he WON'T apologize to some lowly reporter.  Sorry, not sorry Mr. Turx, go find a safe space because I didn't massage your ego by giving a damn about what you had to say.

[Benton]

(02-17-2017, 02:13 PM)PhilHos Wrote: While I agree that I would rather Trump respond in a far more mature manner, he's allowed to respond to attacks in any way he wants so long as he's not abusing his authority in doing so.

ok. Except in this case, as in others, he wasn't being attacked. The reporter didn't say he was responsible, directly or indirectly. He said trump was not anti-Semitic.

its not an attack every time someone asks a question.

[GMDino]

(02-17-2017, 05:31 PM)Benton Wrote: ok. Except in this case, as in others, he wasn't being attacked. The reporter didn't say he was responsible, directly or indirectly. He said trump was not anti-Semitic.

its not an attack every time someone asks a question.

Have you met Trump?

Only "fair questions" are not attacks.

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

(02-17-2017, 02:13 PM)PhilHos Wrote: While I agree that I would rather Trump respond in a far more mature manner, he's allowed to respond to attacks in any way he wants so long as he's not abusing his authority in doing so.

It was a question Trump turned into an faux attack. 


#fakeattack

[*michaelsean*]

(02-17-2017, 03:12 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: But the guy prefaced it by saying that no one in his hasidic community SAYS those things but they want to know what he will do, as the grandfather of Jewish children, in response to, among other things, threats against Jewish children. 

This wasn't an attack. It was a plea. 

He might have been pissed because he just realized his grandchildren are Jewish.