OAN reporter roasted for asking Trump if saying ‘Chinese food’ is racist: ‘Dumbest question’ ever

A reporter from right-leaning One America News was roasted on social media on Thursday after asking President Trump if he thought the term “Chinese food” is racist, with one member of the press calling it “the dumbest question I’ve ever heard.”

The backlash against OAN’s Chanel Rion comes after she also raised eyebrows for accusing “major left-wing media,” including some reporters in the White House briefing room, of teaming up “with Chinese communist party narratives.”

“Mr. President, do you consider the term ‘Chinese food’ to be racist because it is food that originated from China?” Rion asked, preparing for another question about the media.

“I don’t think that’s racist at all,” Trump replied.

“On that note, major left-wing media, even in this room, have teamed up with Chinese communist party narratives, and they are claiming you are racist for making these claims about ‘Chinese virus,’” Rion continued. “Is it alarming that major media players, just to oppose you, are siding with foreign state propaganda, Islamic radicals, and Latin gangs and cartels and they work right here out of the White House with direct access to you and your team?”

“It amazes me when I read the things that I read,” Trump replied. “I don’t think anybody has done as much as I have done in three years.”

“This administration has done a great job. But the press is very dishonest,” the president added.

Backlash on the questions from Rion was immediate on social media, and it came from across the political spectrum.

This might be the dumbest question I’ve ever heard. https://t.co/laU5gA6cQC

— Siraj Hashmi (@SirajAHashmi) March 19, 2020

This is it. You’re in the White House press briefing room with access to the most powerful person in the world. You stand up, put on a serious face, open your mouth, and ask https://t.co/UEVRFc6sp2

— CJ Ciaramella (@cjciaramella) March 19, 2020

So the “Chinese food” vs. “Chinese virus” argument from the OANN person almost made the exact opposite point of what she intended. Bizarre & unhelpful. The coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China & was covered up by the Chinese Communist Party. It’s not more complicated than that.

— JERRY DUNLEAVY (@JerryDunleavy) March 19, 2020

Thank god we have OANN in the briefing room at this critical moment in our nations history

— Sam Stein (@samstein) March 19, 2020

Idiot “reporter” for the right-wing “news” outlet @OANN at White House coronavirus briefing tells Trump that the term “Chinese virus” can’t be racist because the term “Chinese food” is not racist.

As if food is the same as a deadly virus.

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) March 19, 2020

the OAN chinese food question is every bit as stupid PBS’s yamiche alcindor taking yesterday’s briefing down the “kung flu” rabbit hole. funny part is that only one of these questions has journos all upset and calling for a group to have its credentials stripped.

— ‘ (@BecketAdams) March 19, 2020

Rion serves as White House correspondent for One America News.