Reporters criticized President Obama on Tuesday after he scolded a Washington Post reporter at a White House press conference for shouting out a question.
At the end of a joint press conference Tuesday in the Rose Garden with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Obama addressed the refugee crisis taking place in parts of Europe, and the surge of immigrants into the U.S.
After Obama wrapped up his comments on it, Post reporter David Nakamura called out a question regarding Central American migrants flooding into the United States. Obama answered and then sarcastically thanked Nakamura for the question.
“But I appreciate you shouting out a question since I’m sure there are a lot of other colleagues of yours who would want to do the same,” Obama said before exiting the garden. “Thank you very much, everybody. Appreciate it.”
On Twitter, reporters defended their peer.
In the Dept. of Whining, @POTUS is still doing it, too — after 8 years — when @DavidNakamura asks legitimate question in Rose Garden.
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) October 18, 2016
“In the Dept. of Whining, [Obama] is still doing it, too — after 8 years — when Nakamura asks legitimate question in Rose Garden,” said CNN’s Jeff Zeleny, referring to Obama having just made a comment about Republican Donald Trump “whining” over the election.
For the record, no, @DavidNakamura‘s colleagues don’t begrudge his shouted question
— Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) October 18, 2016
Los Angeles Times reporter Mike Memoli said, “For the record, no, Nakamura’s colleagues don’t begrudge his shouted question.”
It’s not the first time Obama has complained to a reporter for shouting out a question. In 2012, conservative reporter Neil Munro, then with the Daily Caller, called out to Obama regarding an announcement he was making about an executive action on immigration.
“Excuse me, sir, but it’s not time for questions,” Obama said to Munro. “Not while I’m speaking.” He told Munro that “next time I’d prefer you’d let me finish my statement before you ask that question.”
