Trump Clashes With Reporter Over HHS Inspector General Report on Coronavirus Testing

President Donald Trump says that a 34-page report by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) inspector general on the availability for testing for the coronavirus is “just wrong.“

The inspector general released a report on Monday that found “severe” shortages of testing for the virus as well as a “widespread” lack of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.

However, when asked about the report during a press conference at the White House, Trump said, “It’s just wrong.”

He asked, “Did I hear the word inspector general?”

He continued to ask who the inspector general is and when they were appointed, “Where did he come from, the inspector general?”

When ABC News’ Jon Karl said the inspector general “did serve in the previous administration,” Trump fired back.

“Oh, you didn’t tell me that. Oh I see. You didn’t tell me that, Jon. You didn’t tell me that You mean the Obama Administration. Thank you for telling me that, see there’s a typical fake news deal,” Trump said.

He continued, “Look, look, you’re a third-rate reporter, and what you just said is a disgrace, Okay?”

Watch the video below:

https://twitter.com/jason_howerton/status/1247293565916545026

Trump appeared to suggest that Karl had asked a misleading question by suggesting that the inspector general had recently been appointed despite serving in a position in the Obama administration.

CNN’s Jim Acosta tweeted that the inspector general is Christi Grimm, the deputy general inspector general for HHS, who was appointed to that position in January.