CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang asked the president why he considers coronavirus testing a global competition after more than 80,000 Americans have died.
"This may be a question you should ask China," Trump said to Jiang, who was born in China and immigrated to the United States at the age of two. "Don't ask me. Ask China this question, okay?"
Trump tried to move on by calling Kaitlan Collins, a White House correspondent for CNN, but Jiang intervened with a follow-up question.
"Sir, why are you telling me this specifically?" asked Jiang, who was visibly surprised by Trump's request.
"I'm telling you," replied Trump. "I don't tell anyone specifically. I tell anyone who asks the wrong question."
"This is not a bad question," said Jiang. "Why is it important?"
Trump then looked again to answer a question from another reporter.
Collins, who had let Jiang ask Trump his follow-up questions, approached the microphone.
"I have two questions," said Collins.
"No, I'm fine," replied Trump.
"But you pointed the finger at me," said Collins. "I have two questions, Mr. President. You called me."
"I did it," said Trump. "And you didn't answer, and now I'm calling the young woman on the back."
"I just wanted to let my colleague finish," said Collins. "But can I ask you a question?"
Trump then ended the press conference.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much," he said before leaving the Rose Garden.
The president has been strongly criticized by critics for his behavior.
"A very ugly and ugly ending to this hour-long appearance of the president in the rose garden," said CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
Some critics have said that Trump's remarks about Jiang were racist. It would not be the first time that Jiang had faced racist remarks in the White House.
Other critics have suggested that the exchange was linked to sexism.
"The president's lack of professionalism is more and more evident when he interacts with female journalists," tweeted Olivia Nuzzi, Washington correspondent for New York magazine.
A CNN spokesperson declined to comment. A CBS News spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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