Trump's full exchange with female reporters before walking out of press conference

As American coronavirus deaths passed 80,000 on Monday, Mr Trump walked out of his own news briefing after being confronted by reporters

Donald Trump abruptly ended the latest White House news conference after he argued with two female CNN reporters over his comments on China.

CNN White House reporter Weijia Jiang asked the president on Monday why he viewed the Covid-19 pandemic as a worldwide competition, which prompted the tense exchange.

“You said many times that the US is doing far better than any other country when it comes to testing, said Ms Jiang. “Why does that matter? Why is this a global competition to you when everyday Americans are still losing their lives and we’re still seeing more cases everyday?”

Mr Trump told the CNN journalist, who is of Asian descent, that she should ask China.

“Well they’re losing their lives everywhere in the world and maybe that’s a question you should ask China,” said president Trump. “Don’t ask me, ask China that question – okay?”

He continued: “When you ask them that question you might get a very unusual answer”.

The president then appeared to want to move on and pointed at another reporter as Ms Jiang asked the president: “Sir, why are you saying that to me specifically that I should ask China?”

Mr Trump then said that his comment on China was not aimed at the CNN reporter, but that her question was “nasty”.

“I’m not saying it specifically to anybody, I'm saying it to anybody that would ask a nasty question,” said Mr Trump.

“That's not a nasty question, why does it matter,” Ms Jiang responded, before the White House appeared to silence her microphone mid-sentence.

Having asked another question, CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins then approached the nearest microphone to defend her colleague.

“No, it's okay,” said Mr Trump, as Ms Collins explained that he had pointed at her moments before.

She said: “But you pointed to me, I have two questions Mr president”

“Next, next please,” said Mr Trump.

“But you called on me,” argued Ms Collins.

The president replied: “I did and you didn’t respond and now I’m calling on the young lady in the back, please.”

“Sorry i just wanted to let my colleague finish but can I ask you a question…”, said CNN’s Ms Collins before her microphone was also cut.

“Ladies and gentleman, thank you very much,” said Mr Trump. “Appreciate it. Thank you very much”.

He then walked off the stage at the White House, on the same day the American death toll from Covid-19 passed the 80,000 mark.