CBS News Reporter Weijia Jiang Accuses Unnamed White House Official of Calling the Wuhan Coronavirus the ‘Kung Flu’
CBS News White House reporter Weijia Jiang started a rumor Tuesday morning accusing an unnamed White House official of calling the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China the “kung flu”. Senior White House advisor Kellyanne Conway was badgered by reporters about the rumor Wednesday morning. President Trump was also asked by another reporter about the accusation at Wednesday’s coronavirus task force press briefing. Jiang refuses to name the alleged official.
CBS News White House reporter Weijia Jiang, image via Twitter avatar.
“This morning a White House official referred to #Coronavirus as the “Kung-Flu” to my face. Makes me wonder what they’re calling it behind my back.”
This morning a White House official referred to #Coronavirus as the “Kung-Flu” to my face. Makes me wonder what they’re calling it behind my back.— Weijia Jiang (@weijia) March 17, 2020
Jiang’s only response on Twitter so far has been a Wednesday morning snark at a Republican candidate for Congress from California, Buzz Patterson, who expressed doubt of her story: “Buzz, I’d love to hear what else is on your list. Have a great day!”
Buzz, I’d love to hear what else is on your list. Have a great day!— Weijia Jiang (@weijia) March 18, 2020
Later Wednesday morning, reporters pressed senior White House advisor Kellyanne Conway about the rumor started by Jiang. Conway urged Jiang to name the alleged official. Jiang would not reveal the name, saying, “You know how these conversations go, I am also a journalist..”
Defending @POTUS calling it the Chinese virus, @KellyannePolls argued with @Yamiche and asked @weijia to out the @WhiteHouse official who called it "Kung-flu". #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/XuwCCydJXP— Patsy Widakuswara (@pwidakuswara) March 18, 2020
"I'm married to an Asian" -- Kellyanne Conway downplays White House official reportedly calling coronavirus "Kung-Flu" and Trump using the term "Chinese Virus" pic.twitter.com/aI9TubIfGz— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 18, 2020
Conway said using the term “kung flu” is wrong and apparently surprised reporters when she informed them her husband George is Asian-American and that their children are twenty-five percent Filipino (George’s mother is from the Philippines.)
Video of Trump being badgered by PBS Newshour reporter Yamiche Alcindor about the “kung flu” rumor.
CLIP: President Trump is asked about the term 'Kung Flu'— CSPAN (@cspan) March 18, 2020
Watch complete news conference here: https://t.co/GwQnJ0pwmo pic.twitter.com/ElDbKUvrgU
For an idea of how Jiang covers Trump, this is her pinned Tweet at the top of her page:
I asked Trump if he would be okay with someone telling the First Lady to go back to her country. He did not answer.— Weijia Jiang (@weijia) July 18, 2019
Jiang’s Twitter bio reads, “@CBSNews White House Correspondent. Frankie Mei’s mama. Chinese born West Virginian. @williamandmary + @syracuseU alum.”
