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President Donald Trump on Thursday asked April Ryan, a veteran African American journalist, if she would help set up a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus.
"When you say the inner cities, are you going to include the CBC, Mr President, in your conversations with your urban agenda, inner city agenda?" she asked the President at a White House news conference.
“I’ll tell you what, do you want to set up the meeting?” he asked. She responded by telling the President that she’s a reporter. “Are they friends of yours?” he then asked. “So set up the meeting.”
She replied by saying, “I know some of them, but I’m sure they’re watching right now.”
Thousands attend Women's March on WashingtonShow all 18 1 /18 Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters gather outside the White House at the finish of the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds attended the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
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Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters hold up signage near the Washington Monument during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
Drew Angerer/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters gather during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. The march is expected to draw thousands from across the country to protest newly inaugurated President Donald Trump.
Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters arrive at the Capital South Metro station for the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights.
Jessica Kourkounis/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters arrive on the platform at the Capital South Metro station for the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights.
Jessica Kourkounis/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators protest during the Women's March along Pennsylvania Avenue January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump.
Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Protesters attend the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights.
Jessica Kourkounis/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A marcher holds a sign during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. The march is expected to draw thousands from across the country to protest newly inaugurated President Donald Trump.
Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A woman chants while attending the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
Mario Tama/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters attend the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
Mario Tama/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters march in Washington, DC, during the Women's March on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded US cities Saturday in a day of women's rights protests to mark President Donald Trump's first full day in office.
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A protester gestures toward the White House on the Ellipse near the South Lawn of the White House during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
Drew Angerer/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A protester, holding a Donald Trump doll wearing a pink cap, marches in Washington, DC, during the Womens March on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded US cities Saturday in a day of women's rights protests to mark President Donald Trump's first full day in office.
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters take to the National Mall to demonstrate against the presidency of Donald Trump Washington, DC on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump.
Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters march during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
Mario Tama/Getty
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators gather on The Ellipse during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump.
Zach Gibson/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators march down Pennsylvania Avenue during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump.
Zach Gibson/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protester's signs are left near the White House during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Mario Tama/Getty
“I would love to meet with the black caucus,” President Trump responded, “I think it’s great.”
After the press conference, Ms Ryan addressed the racially charged incident on Twitter. “I am a journalist not a convener!” she wrote. “But thank you for answering my questions.”
She also made an appearance on CNN where she admitted that she was "a little shocked" by the President's actions.
The Congressional Black Caucus also responded, “Hi, @realDonaldTrump ,” We’re the CBC. We sent you a letter on January 19, but you never wrote us back. Sad!”
On Thursday night, Ms Ryan reported that the White House had reached out to the CBC to set up a meeting. No date or time has been set for the sit down.
Prior to the exchange, Mr Trump answered a question about the recent increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes across the US. He responded by describing himself as "the least anti-Semitic person that you've ever seen in your entire life," adding: “Number two: racism, I am the least racist person."