WH Press Secretary Turns Table on Reporter's Question

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany Is Asked Why She Downplayed Coronavirus Threat — And She Turns The Tables On The Media

In her second official briefing before the White House press corps, Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked about a comment she made on Feb. 25 on Fox Business Channel, in which she said that because of President Donald Trump, “we will not see diseases like the coronavirus come here.”

At the time, McEnany was working for the Trump campaign as national press secretary.

On Wednesday, Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason asked her whether she would take the comment back, given what has happened since then.

But McEnany tried to turn the tables on the media, suggesting that a number of outlets also downplayed the threat of the coronavirus.

“I was asked a question on Fox Business about the president’s travel restrictions,” she said. “I noted what was the intent behind those travel restrictions, which is, we will not see coronavirus come here. We will not see terrorism come here, referring to an earlier set of travel restrictions.” She added by giving examples of where the media themselves downplayed the virus.

McEnany was clearly prepared for the question, as she read from notes as she went down the list of examples. More than anything, it signals that she will come to the briefings armed with lines of counterattacks on the media itself should they be needed.