As we’ve come to expect, a few members of the press shouted questions at President Donald Trump after the handshake photo-op with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un:
Trump ignored a reporter's question about Michael Cohen, as Cohen, his former attorney, prepares for his first day of public testimony on Capitol Hill while Trump meets with Kim in Vietnam https://t.co/L2IWyCr4vn pic.twitter.com/fNzIl9ceET
— POLITICO (@politico) February 27, 2019
Kim Jong Un, at the very least, thought it was funny:
Kim Jong Un clearly amused as US reporters shout questions at Pres Trump as photo op statements conclude. They clearly don't shout questions at Kim in North Korea. pic.twitter.com/fLappoOfaV
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) February 27, 2019
According to reports from the pool, those who shouted questions were then barred from covering the dinner:
Several print reporters, including the three wire services, were barred from the Trump-Kim dinner after @jeffmason1 and I had asked questions of the president during earlier events.
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) February 27, 2019
Wire writers from @Reuters @AP @business were excluded from going with the press pool to see the dinner between @realDonaldTrump and #KimJongUn. AP colleague @JonLemire and I were among those. We both asked questions during the first “pool spray” when the two leaders shook hands.
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) February 27, 2019
Developing… White House is cutting the number of US journalists allowed at the next Trump-Kim media availability because of “sensitivities over shouted questions,” per print pooler @vmsalama.
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) February 27, 2019
can’t tell you first hand what happened at trump-kim dinner because wire reporters were cut after asking questions in first two sprays. comes day after wh press got kicked out of file center because of north korean objections to media at kim’s hotel https://t.co/z1Ct4Yc7b9
— Justin Sink (@justinsink) February 27, 2019
Statement from Sarah Sanders:
From @PressSec: “Due to the sensitive nature of the meetings we have limited the pool for the dinner to a smaller group, but ensured that representation of photographers, tv, radio and print Poolers are all in the room. We are continuing to negotiate aspects of this … summit” https://t.co/N1TTGSvnpB
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) February 27, 2019
CBS’s Mark Knoller, who didn’t shout at the president, is in the room giving updates:
Other US officials at the dinner table include @SecPompeo and @MickMulvaneyOMB. Seated next to Pres Trump is US interpreter Dr. Yun-hyang Lee. pic.twitter.com/32Muauhp4q
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) February 27, 2019
The evening repast is billed as "a social dinner." Pres Trump seemed in good spirits, asking press, "everybody having a good time?" pic.twitter.com/K1lL189ZND
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) February 27, 2019
Pres Trump told press the dinner will be a short one because he and Kim have "a busy day tomorrow." Says he hopes it will lead to "a wonderful situation." He characterized his relationship with Kim as "very special." "See you tomorrow," he told press. pic.twitter.com/INwVid8dnH
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) February 27, 2019
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