President Trump and Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos held a brief bilateral press conference, where the two leaders spoke about strengthening the alliance and cooperation between the nations, as well drug trafficking and the “opioid epidemic.”
NBC News broke in with a special report anchored by Lester Holt at 4:07 p.m. ET, just before Pres. Trump and Pres. Santos gave their introductory remarks.
CBS News and ABC News both left their regularly scheduled programming at around 4:15 p.m. ET, and broke into the presser mid-remarks.
Scott Pelley anchored CBS’ special coverage from Washington. George Stephanopoulos anchored ABC’s special coverage.
ABC News’s Jonathan Karl got the first question, and asked the president about Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein‘s decision to name a special counsel to investigate possible Russian collusion with his campaign. “Right move, or part of a witch hunt?”
“I respect the move, but this all a witch hunt,” said Pres. Trump. “There’s no collusion between myself and Russia. All of this divides the country.” The president then went on to tout his accomplishments.
Karl then asked Pres. Santos about Trump’s wall on the Mexican border. “Do you agree with this idea?”
“I believe the best way to fight drug trafficking is by collaborating,” said Pres. Santos. “It’s a world problem and we have to all work together. We declared war on drugs 40 years ago, and it hasn’t been won. We are making a big effort to have a new strategy…”
Trump then pointed at NBC News’s Peter Alexander for the next question, but referred to him as Peter Baker (the New York Times chief White House correspondent). Yet, somehow ABC 7 and Sinclair Broadcasting Group’s White House correspondent Scott Thuman ended up getting the mic and asking the question.
Finally called on at a Trump news conference! Too bad I wasn’t there.
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) May 18, 2017
Such a missed opportunity! Haven’t been called on at a press conference since Obama’s first term. Maybe next time I can get Sinclair’s spot?
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) May 18, 2017
Trump pointed at me, called on @peterbakernyt & @ScottThuman got the mic.
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) May 18, 2017
“Did you urge ask FBI Director James Comey to end his investigation?” Thuman ended up asking. “No, next question,” interrupted Trump. Thuman continued: “Is there anything you have done worthy of impeachment?”
Trump’s response: “It’s ridiculous. We have plenty of problems that we need to fix…” He then went off-script, attacking Comey’s “performance” last Wednesday, while saying “I cherish the FBI…it’s special, but it has not had a good reputation lately.” He then started attacking Obamacare, and talked about his desire to cut taxes.