President Donald Trump’s meeting with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House spiraled after a reporter asked a question about the U.S. formally accepting a luxury jet from Qatar.
The flashpoint came amid the bizarre scene of Trump ambushing Ramaphosa about attacks on white farmers in his country, and playing a minutes-long video of events in South Africa depicting apparent extremism.
When the footage ended and the lights came up, NBC chief White House correspondent Peter Alexander immediately quizzed the president about the Pentagon accepting Qatar’s controversial offer of a $400 million plane.
The news broke as the meeting was taking place.
“Mr President, the Pentagon announced it would accept a Qatari jet to be used as Air Force One,” Alexander began before the president cut him off.
“What are you talking about?” Trump snapped, angered by the focus moving away from what he believes is “white genocide” in South Africa. “You know, you oughta get out of here.”
“You are a terrible reporter,” he added. “You don’t have what it takes to be a reporter. You’re not smart enough.”
Alexander appeared to respond with a “thank you.” (Watch the exchange below.)
Trump returned to Alexander’s intervention repeatedly, later calling the reporter a “jerk” when claiming the American media should pay more attention to South African politics.
Trump also suggested NBC executives should be “investigated.”
Later in the meeting, as Trump raged at Alexander once more, Ramaphosa attempted to play diplomat.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have a plane to give you,” the South Africa leader said light-heartedly.
Trump replied, “I wish you did. I’d take it. If your country offered the United States Air Force a plane, I would take it.”