Trump Press Conference Crazy Quotes Twitter Reactions

Skip navigation!

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images.

So, that was...something. In today's press conference, Trump defended his less-than-monthlong tenure as POTUS — which has been marked by chaos, legal fights, drama over cabinet appointees, and the firing of his national security adviser — as nothing less than stellar. He also announced that there will be a new executive order on immigration next week and an Obamacare replacement in March. But he spent most of the spontaneous presser attacking the press. Viciously. A lot. He originally called the press conference to announce his new labor-secretary pick Alexander Acosta, after fast-food executive Andrew Puzder withdrew yesterday. But it quickly devolved into insults lobbed at Hillary Clinton, whom he is no longer running against, and at the press. He made statements like: "Story after story after story is bad. I WON!" He insulted individual news organizations, like the BBC. He stated his preference for "good" (softball) questions over "bad" (informed) ones. He called any mention of the administration's connection to Russia a "ruse." Our heads are spinning, but we're actually more thankful than ever that we went to journalism school. And we're not alone — many celebrities and influencers took to Twitter to express their WTF just happened?! feelings.

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

J.K. Rowling was terrified:

Up until an hour ago, the scariest thing I'd ever watched was Psycho. #TrumpPresser
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 16, 2017

Gabrielle Union had some harsh words:

That press conference was a sick, ignorant, idiotic mess of hostility and lies from Trump.
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) February 16, 2017

April Ryan, an African-American reporter, asked him whether he was planning to involve the Congressional Black Caucus in his "inner-city agenda." He suggested that the journalist should set up the meeting with the CBC. "They friends of yours?" he asked her. Turns out, the CBC had already reached out to Trump:

Hi, @realDonaldTrump. We’re the CBC. We sent you a letter on January 19, but you never wrote us back. Sad! Letter: https://t.co/58KiuHmITF
— The CBC (@OfficialCBC) February 16, 2017

People were not having it with his response to Ryan:

As a random black woman in media, @ashleyn1cole is happy to set up the meeting between @potus & the Congressional Black Caucus. pic.twitter.com/dvFrDvv9Ok
— Full Frontal (@FullFrontalSamB) February 16, 2017

Did he just ask #AprilRyan if the Congressional Black Caucus are friends of hers?

Because we ALL know each other (& look alike) amirite?
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) February 16, 2017

Some in the GOP were reportedly also outraged:

House GOP aide, echoing many others, on Trump press conference: "bizarre and borderline unhinged."
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) February 16, 2017

"He should do this with a therapist, not on live television." -- GOP senator to @JohnKingCNN in reaction to Trump's press conference
— Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) February 16, 2017

And the press had never seen anything like this:

So.. "SNL" is going to take Saturday night off and NBC will just rerun the president's press conference from today, right? HOW IS THIS REAL?
— noah michelson (@noahmichelson) February 16, 2017

I've never seen a press conference like that, and I covered a government that once accused a puppet of terrorism.
— Gregg Carlstrom (@glcarlstrom) February 16, 2017

Mood after this press conference pic.twitter.com/gDN2aIgelZ
— Colin Jones (@colinjones) February 16, 2017

The Hillary mentions were through the roof:

Trump said "Hillary" twelve times during his press conference and "Clinton" ten times
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) February 16, 2017

Glenn Thrush (the Glenn from SNL) made an important point:

The story ISN'T the press conference. It isn't his attack on the press. It's that Trump has no problem w/ Flynn talking sanctions w/ Russia.
— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) February 16, 2017

Jake Tapper's advice: "Get to work and stop whining." Yes...how about that?

.@JakeTapper holds Trump to account after that bizarrely combative press conference: https://t.co/YoWlFf3KLv pic.twitter.com/kEazfto9Zy
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) February 16, 2017

Related Video:

More from US News

RSVP: Election 2024

RSVP: Rally, Support, Vote With Power

Welcome to Rally, Support, Vote with Power. Whether it’s your first election or your fifteenth, RSVP is your always-on guide to the headlines, a safe pla

RSVP: Election 2024

Trump May Have Won The Presidency But Abortion Won In These States

A record 10 states had abortion-related ballot measures in the 2024 election. While Florida was the first to record a disappointing result, failing to rece

by Elizabeth Gulino

US Election 2024

Donald Trump Wins The Presidency

Donald Trump has won the presidency — this time, as the first convicted felon to become president of the United States. Trump, who is also the oldest per

by Refinery29 Staff

Election Stress Disorder Is A Thing — Here’s How To Cope

This article was originally published in November 2020 and has been updated. As the 2024 election continues to crawl along, you may feel a heightened sense

by Elizabeth Gulino

My Abortions Were The Most Freeing Experiences Of My Life

After the fall of Roe vs. Wade in 2022, Texas enforced some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. These trigger laws, which are laws that t

by Elizabeth Gulino

RSVP: Election 2024

I’m From Arizona & Was Forced To Travel Across State Lines ...

In Arizona, a Civil War-era law went into effect in December 2022 that effectively banned abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The law creates exceptions

by Elizabeth Gulino

RSVP: Election 2024

Here’s How Kamala Harris & Donald Trump Differ On Press Freedom

Freedom of the press, which guarantees the right to report the news without government interference, is protected by the First Amendment. But as we approac

by Elizabeth Gulino

RSVP: Election 2024

ICYMI: Here’s Where Harris & Trump Stand On Key Election Is...

It’s clear that the 2024 election is a choice between two opposing visions of America: Donald Trump, a convicted felon who openly admires autocrats, seek

by Mythili Sampathkumar

US Election 2024

The 2024 Election Is Giving Us Hope — But We Need Community To Su...

A few months ago, I was feeling especially hopeless about the election. But in July, something miraculous happened: Joe Biden dropped out of the race. His

by Prachi Gupta

US Election 2024

5 Takeaways If You Skipped The Harris-Trump Debate

With just 54 days left until Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris faced former President Donald Trump for the first time in a presidential debate on

by Fortesa Latifi

Biden Is Expanding the Border Wall. But South Texans Are Fighting...

Despite President Joe Biden campaigning against former President Donald Trump’s contentious border wall during the 2020 presidential election, he has use

by Nicole Froio

The Affirmative Action Supreme Court Cases Remind Me of a Thorny ...

The ongoing attacks on affirmative action are triggering memories of a college hookup: In my recollection, I can see us stumbling through our campus quad.

by Tasha Sandoval