Over a dozen journalists have been labeled “enemies” of the White House in a new campaign ad for President Donald Trump.
The video, titled “Let President Trump Do His Job,” comes on the heels of deadly unrest in Charlottesville, Va., last week where white nationalist demonstrators descended on the city and clashed with counter-protesters. Trump’s lukewarm reaction to the chaos sparked swift criticism after he failed to explicitly condemn the violence by white supremacists, Neo-Nazis and KKK members.
Released by the president’s official campaign and re-election committee just one day after the protests turned violent, the 30-second video aims to highlight Trump’s successes since taking office earlier this year.
The ad flashes the faces of more than a dozen journalists, accusing them of “attacking our president” and alluding to “the president’s enemies” who “don’t want him to succeed.”
“Democrats, obstructing … career politicians, standing in the way of success,” the clip says. “But President Trump’s plan is still working!”
Among the faces of noted journalists was April Ryan, a veteran White House correspondent, political analyst and bureau chief for the American Urban Radio Networks. Ryan, who is African-American, responded to the ad in a tweet Sunday, Aug. 13, and blasted the Trump campaign for promoting “racial hate.”
Sad day I am singled out as an enemy of the White House as this racial hate is going on just for asking real questions and speaking truth. https://t.co/lFem4bzDKQ
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) August 13, 2017
This isn’t the first time Ryan has run into issues with the Trump White House, however.
Earlier this year, the seasoned journalist got into a war of words with then-White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Ryan pressed Spicer about the ongoing Russia investigation during a daily press briefing, after which the press secretary demanded that Ryan quit shaking her head.
In February, Trump also asked Ryan to set up a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus, suggesting she was friends with organization members because she’s also Black.
