April Ryan on Spicer exchange: Press is 'under attack' by Trump administration

Longtime correspondent April Ryan has spoken out after a heated exchange with White House press secretary Sean Spicer, saying the press is "under attack by [Trump's] administration."

The White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks appeared on CNN's "New Day" on Wednesday morning to comment on a moment during Spicer's daily press briefing on Tuesday, during which the press secretary said to Ryan, "stop shaking your head."

"I did shake my head, in disbelief," Ryan said. "I was just asking a question, trying to get an answer and I found myself trying to defend myself," Ryan added, explaining that she began to shake her head when Spicer accused Ryan of pushing an "agenda."

RELATED: White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer

The exchange started when Ryan posed a question to Spicer about the White House's perception problem, to which Spicer gave a sharp response.

"I appreciate your agenda here...At some point, report the facts," Spicer said to Ryan. "You're shaking your head...It seems like you are hell bent to trying to make sure that whatever image you want to tell about this White House stays. You are asking me a question and I'm going to answer it. Which is the president — I'm sorry — please stop shaking your head again," Spicer continued.

Ryan also appeared on MSNBC on Tuesday, saying she was "Unfortunately, I was roadkill today."

"My question was simple, how do you change the perception problem?," Ryan said. "You cannot ignore as a reporter that there are issues on Capitol Hill."

"As an administration is calling us the enemy of the people, I guess we saw some of that thought process yesterday...We are the press who is under attack. We are under attack by this administration," said Ryan. "It is about discrediting credible media. At this point, I happen to be a black woman, but I'm part of the press."

RELATED: Donald Trump's first 100 days in office, a photo for each day

Advertisement