Asian-American Journalist Says Trump White House Official Called Coronavirus ‘Kung Flu’ To Her Face
CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang shocked many by revealing that a White House official took President Donald Trump’s “Chinese virus” slur even further by calling the coronavirus “kung flu” right to her face.
On Tuesday morning, shortly after Trump sent another “Chinese virus” tweet, Jiang told her Twitter followers that an unnamed White House official had dialed up the racism.
“This morning a White House official referred to #Coronavirus as the “Kung-Flu” to my face,” Jiang wrote, adding “Makes me wonder what they’re calling it behind my back.”
This morning a White House official referred to #Coronavirus as the “Kung-Flu” to my face. Makes me wonder what they’re calling it behind my back.
— Weijia Jiang (@weijia) March 17, 2020
The revelation sparked immediate and widespread revulsion from many blue-checks on Twitter, including prominent media and political figures.
This is hideous. And it’s why it’s impossible to take this administration seriously or have any confidence whatsoever in them. https://t.co/ugwtLYDVqc
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) March 17, 2020
I’m sorry you have to deal with their nastiness. Thanks for your reporting. Their sophomoric attempts to rename and deflect responsibility for a lack of preparation/effective response won’t work if we don’t let it. https://t.co/I6ahqUeDBn
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) March 17, 2020
This is absolutely unacceptable. Is there no bottom? https://t.co/RZpal1kNCy
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) March 17, 2020
Racism is petty. It seeks to cultivate bigotry and prejudice and exert power even in times when human beings most need each other.
“Kung-Flu”
“China Virus”This rhetoric isn’t harmless, especially with hate crimes against our Asian global family members already on the rise. https://t.co/eYzsWXRI5h
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) March 17, 2020
Even during a national pandemic … these #maga fools find a way to inject racism into the lexicon … in their efforts to stop one virus they are spreading another and the result will be people who look like we do will be targets of hate and violence https://t.co/qPsjXHmCpL
— Kurt Bardella (@kurtbardella) March 17, 2020
This is despicable. https://t.co/snuPQ6U0a7
— David Gura (@davidgura) March 17, 2020
This is vile and should be condemned by @realDonaldTrump immediately. https://t.co/sGDyYyZ2CL
— Rep. Harley Rouda (@RepHarley) March 17, 2020
Who was it? This racist comment does not warrant keeping it anonymous. https://t.co/d4edUXLSLX
— Pete Souza (@PeteSouza) March 17, 2020
Brandon Morse from RedState was, however, not offended.
Shouldn’t it be a good thing that everyone is kung-flu fighting. That the task force is fast as lightning despite this virus being a little bit frightening? https://t.co/Cs1XN6UQoy
— Brandon Morse (@TheBrandonMorse) March 17, 2020
Federal officials and others have warned against referring to COVID-19 in a manner that links it with China, in part to reduce racist stigma.
Weijia Jiang is the reporter who maneuvered Trump into agreeing to be tested for the coronavirus by asking if he was being “selfish” by resisting the test. Despite entreaties to do so, Jiang has not revealed the name of the offending official.
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