'They Have Disdain For Me': April Ryan On Not Being Invited To White House Christmas Party
American Urban Radio Networks correspondent April Ryan has not been invited to the annual White House Christmas party.
WATCH: April Ryan Confront Donald Trump On The 'Take A Knee' NFL Protests
"I don't think I was overlooked," Ryan said to the Washington Post. "I think they don't like me. For whatever reason, they have disdain for me."
This marks the first time in 20 years that Ryan, who is also a CNN contributor, has been uninvited to the White House Christmas party. Ryan has been very critical of Donald Trump and his administration. A month ago, during an impromptu Rose Garden press conference, she asked Trump about NFL players taking a knee to protest the police brutality and racism in America.
"What about the police-involved shootings as it relates to the NFL? That is what the players are saying is the crux of why they are taking a knee, sir," Ryan said. "The police-involved shooting issue. What about that?"
"It is very disrespectful to our country when they take a knee during our national anthem. Just hear it," Trump responded. "It is very disrespectful to our country when they take a knee during the national anthem, number one. Number two, the people of our country are very angry at the NFL. All you have to do is look at their ratings and look at their stadiums. You see empty seats where you never saw them before. A lot of people are very angry at it. It is highly disrespectful. They shouldn't do it."
Former Press Secretary Sean Spicer also scolded Ryan when she tried to ask him a question about Russia earlier this year during a press conference at the White House.
"April, hold on, it seems like you're hell-bent on trying to make sure that whatever image you want to tell about this White House stays," before requesting that the journalist "stop shaking your head" at him.
Source: washingtonpost.com