Earlier today, at President Trump’s press conference, an OAN reporter, Chanel Rion called out the mainstream media for their bias in regards to calling the Coronavirus the “Chinese virus.” She asked, “do you consider the term ‘Chinese food’ racist?”
I am livid that Chanel Rion can pretend to be a journalist, be issued credentials as such by the White House and then have this batshit-crazy question broadcast on TV.
— Tim Ball (@tball) March 19, 2020
In most cases, it will suffice to just read quotes. In this case, it’s a must-listen. pic.twitter.com/K1SJNMe5VS
When she got back to her desk after the briefing in the press corps area known as “the basement,” she found an anonymous note that asked, “Do you think your question was helpful in halting the spread of the Coronavirus?”
Ah, workplace drama… ever so incomplete without that dash of anonymous passive aggression.
— Chanel Rion OAN (@ChanelRion) March 19, 2020
Welcome to the basement. pic.twitter.com/s7minUhwpa
It’s ironic that someone who likely complained that the President’s use of the term “Chinese virus” because it might cause racial intimidation would then choose to intimidate for calling out said bias.
Twitter users afterward called her a “plant” and a “sycophant” and the Daily Beast was there to pick up the story. CNN reporter Oliver Darcy tried to downplay their bias by pointing out that China had expelled reporters from those media outlets recently. He also accused OAN of “peddling conspiracy theories.” He also curiously tweeted out a picture of the note later.
Trump praised OAN, which has a long history of pushing far-right conspiracies, saying it “treat[s] me very nicely.”
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) March 19, 2020
He then bashed NYT, WSJ, and WaPo — which China just expelled from its country — as “very dishonest.”
All within a matter of moments.
Someone left this note for the OAN personality at the White House: “Do you think your question was helpful in halting the spread of the coronavirus?” pic.twitter.com/Jy8rzVs5Y0
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) March 19, 2020
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