‘You don’t speak for Britain’ Anger at BBC’s Confrontation with President Trump’s first joint press conference with Theresa May

It is as if the BBC wants a bad relationship between the UK and USA.

A BBC journalist on Friday confronted Donald Trump at a joint White House press conference with Britain’s Prime Minister and lectured the President about his “alarming briefs.” Another question at the press conference featured a reporter wondering how Trump and Theresa May could possibly get along.  Laura Kuenssberg’s long prologue to her question began: “Mr. President, you said before that torture worked. You praised Russia. You have said you want to ban some Muslims from coming to America. You suggested there should be punishment for abortion.” She continued, fretting, “For many people in Britain those sound like alarming beliefs. What do you say to our viewers at home who are worried about some of your views and worried about you becoming the leader of the free world?” (NB)

The most galling thing of all is that there is no opt out button from the BBC – it is not allowed to fail. Under 75 and have a TV in a UK household, then the annual license fee has to be paid – £145.50 or about $183.00. It is a criminal offense not to pay for which 180,000 people are prosecuted each year. Fail to cough up the fine (up to £1,000) and jail time can follow.

‘You don’t speak for Britain’ Anger at BBC political editor’s Trump question

BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg has been condemned and praised for questioning Donald Trump’s views on Russia and Muslims during the US President’s first joint press conference with Theresa May.

By Katie Mansfield, The Express, January 28, 2017:

The BBC journalist caused a stir with her direct line of questioning forcing Donald Trump to joke she had caused the end of the UK-US special relationship.

Ms Kuenssberg said: “Mr President, you’ve said before that torture works, you’ve praised Russia, you’ve said you want to ban some Muslims from coming to America, you’ve suggested there should be punishment for abortion.
“For many people in Britain those sound like alarming beliefs. What do you say to our viewers at home who are worried about some of your views and worried about you becoming the leader of the free world?”

Pointing to Ms Kuenssberg and turning to Theresa May, Mr Trump said: “This was your choice of a question?”Leaning in to the microphone with a smile, he added: “There goes that relationship.”

The grilling prompted laughter in the room but some viewers branded Ms Kuenssberg’s questioning as “rude” and an “embarrassment”.

Controversial commentator Katie Hopkins said: “I guess @bbclaurak speaks for the people of Britain in the same way @lilyallen apologises for the people of Britain. Not in my name.”

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BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg questioned Donald Trump during a press conference

@vastmajority22 said the BBC political editor had “tarnished the reputation of the BBC in the USA”.Wendy Hayward tweeted: “I thought the BBC question was rude and I felt embarrassed”.

JL Foxsten said: “The BBC question was an embarrassment and extremely rude. Sounded like a crusading sixth form student.”

@MrBenPen tweeted: “Shame on this reporter, and shame on the BBC. They do not represent the British people. Rude and disrespectful. Pathetic bias!”

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Controversial commentator Katie Hopkins weighed in on the incident

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@MrBenPen accused Ms Kuenssberg of “pathetic bias”

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Donny Brexit branded the incident an “utter embarrassment to the UK”

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JL Foxsten said the question was “extremely rude”

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@vastmajority22 said the incident “tarnished the reputation of the BBC in the USA”

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Wendy Hayward tweeted she was “embarrassed” by the incident

Donny Brexit branded the incident an “utter embarrassment to the UK, liberal lefty bubble question”.Others praised the journalist for her work.

Natalie McCormack said: “Bloody brilliant! Glad to see someone call him out. Shame our Prime Minister can’t do the same”.

Jane Northedge said: “You’re a star. Show him what it means to have a free press. Thank you”.

Adam Paulson said: “Brave and necessary. Well done.”

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Jane Northedge said Ms Kuenssberg was a “star” for her questioning

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Natalie McCormack praised Ms Kuenssberg

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@joebones40 praised the BBC political editor

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Kev Wright said the political editor’s question was “superb”

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Adam Paulson praised the reporter’s work

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Journalist Patrick Kidd applauded Ms Kuenssberg’s questioning

@Kev Wright said: “Well done Laura, superb question.”Patrick Kidd said: “Good for @bbclaurak showing how – albeit very politely – journalists can bring up unwelcome elements of politics in press conferences”.

@joebones40 said: “Well done @bbclaurak superb question……no holds barred, unlike the softballs from the US press.”

Responding to Ms Keunssberg, Mr Trump repeated his belief that torture does work, but said he would leave the final decision to his defence secretary James Mattis.