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Weijia Jiang

Weijia Jiang

Weijia Jiang born (1983/06/06) is a Washington, DC Correspondent for CBS News. [3]

Jiang has worked at WCBS since 2012 as a Reporter and fill-in anchor. Before that she worked at WJZ in Baltimore, WBOZ in Salisbury, Maryland and WBRE in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

In April 2020, Weijia made headlines after Donald Trump told her to, "keep your voice down," when she questioned him on his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In May 2020, Weijia made headlines again after Donald Trump told her to "ask China" when she asked him why the Trump administration was touting its coronavirus-testing numbers and comparing the numbers with those in other countries. [8] [30] [34]

Early Life

She was born in Xiamen, China and raised in West Virginia, where she immigrated with her parents when she was two Years old.

Jiang is the daughter of Liya Wei and Huade Jiang.

Her parents, who are retired, owned and operated Chinatown Restaurant in Buckhannon, West Virginia.[25]

Jiang met her husband, who is now a Senior Vice President at Yelp, Travis Luther Lowe, at the College of William & Mary in 2003, which he also graduated from.

A year after they met, while still remaining friends, they began co-hosting a weekly campus television show.

They became close friends, and Lowe was determined to someday become Jiang's boyfriend.

He finally succeeded in 2015, soon after a fortune teller at a New York City street fair had predicted they were destined to spend eternity together.[25]

Jiang and Lowe got married on March 17, 2018, at Casa de Monte Vista, an events space in Palm Springs, California. Jim Obergefell was the deputy commissioner for the marriage in Riverside County, California. He incorporated a Chinese tea ceremony into the service.

Weijia announced that she was pregnant on Twitter on October 10, 2018. She gave birth to their daughter Frances Mei Jiang Lowe on December 24th, 2018. She as originally due in January. She weighed 7 lbs and 4 oz. and measured 21.5" at birth. [36][37]

Education

Jiang graduated from The College of William and Mary in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a minor in Chemistry.

She also graduated from Syracuse University in 2006 with a master’s degree in broadcast journalism.

In 2012, she was inducted into the prestigious Professional Gallery at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. [13]

Career

Trump abruptly ends briefing after confrontation with reporter

Trump abruptly ends briefing after confrontation with reporter

’Keep your voice down’: Trump berates female reporter when questioned over Covid-19 response

’Keep your voice down’: Trump berates female reporter when questioned over Covid-19 response

She began her career at the age of 13 as a student reporter and anchor for ChannelOne News in Los Angeles, California. [13]

Weijia Jiang joined CBS Newspath from WCBS-TV, where she had been a general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor since 2012. At WCBS-TV, she covered Hurricane Sandy,Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting Newtown, Connecticut and the Boston Marathon bombings. [7]

Previously, Jiang worked at WJZ-TV in Baltimore (2008-2012) and WBOC-TV in Salisbury, Maryland (2006-2008). When she was a graduate school candidate in 2006, she worked for WBRE-TV in Scranton, Pennsylvania, as a Washington, D.C.-based reporter. [7]

Since July 2018, Jiang has been a White House Correspondent for CBS News.[3]

On March 27, 2020, shortly after Trump sent another “Chinese virus” tweet, Jiang told her Twitter followers that an unnamed White House official had dialed up the Racism. “This morning a White House official referred to #Coronavirus as the “Kung-Flu” to my face,” Jiang wrote, adding “Makes me wonder what they’re calling it behind my back.”[21][22]

Arguments with Donald Trump

April

On April 19, 2020, at one of the White House's COVID-19 briefings, Jiang questioned why the president held events in February with large gatherings despite the virus “spreading like wildfire during [that month].” Trump used his China ban as support for his action against the virus. The clip of them going back and forth when it started to get heated and Trump told Jiang to "relax," to "keep her voice down," and that she "should be thanking [him] for [his] good judgement."[28][29][30]

May

On May 11, 2020, Weijia Jiang asked Trump why his administration was touting its coronavirus testing numbers and comparing it to other countries.

She asked the question during a White House press conference Monday afternoon at the Rose Garden where Trump spoke in front of a large sign that said "AMERICA LEADS THE WORLD IN TESTING" and gave a glowing assessment on the country's efforts to test its citizens for the coronavirus.

[32] [33] [34]

During the press conference, Trump stated "If people want to get tested, they get tested."

[34] [33]

"Why does that matter?

Why is this a global competition to you if every day Americans are still losing their lives and we're still seeing more cases every day," Jiang asked Trump.

[33] [34]

Trump, who previously had heated exchanges with Jiang during press conferences, suggested Jiang ask the other countries, namely China.

The Communist Party of China has been accused of distorting the number of coronavirus-related cases and deaths in the country, and allegedly downplayed concerns during its early stages in late 2019, prior to it becoming a Pandemic. [33]

"Well, they're losing their lives everywhere in the world.

And maybe that's a question you should ask China," Trump replied.

"Don't ask me.

Ask China that question.

Ok?

When you ask them that question, you may get a very unusual answer."

[34] [33]

Trump attempted to take a question from a different reporter bu Jiang fired back: "Sir, why are you saying that to me, specifically?

That I should ask China."

[34] [33]

"I'm not saying it specifically to anybody," Trump said.

"I'm saying it to anybody that would ask a nasty question like that."

"That's not a nasty question," Jiang replied.

"Why does it matter?" [34]

Trump ignored the comment and appeared to call on CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins, who was seated nearby Jiang.

Trump disputed the suggestion and tried calling on a different journalist.

All of the press members were wearing face masks after the White House issued new guidance on safety measures.

[33] [34]

"I did, and you didn't respond," Trump said.

"And now I'm calling on the young lady in the back, please."

[33] [34]

"I just want to let my colleague finish, but can I ask you a question," Collins said, appearing to refer to Jiang.

[33] [34]

Trump abruptly ended the press conference soon afterward.

[33] [34]

Confrontation with Kayleigh McEnany

During a June 22, 2020 White House press conference, Jiang and Kayleigh McEnany had a back and forth argument over the terms Donald Trump has used to describe coronavirus. "Last July, President Trump declared himself the least racist person there is anywhere in the world," Jiang asked. "Why does he use racist phrases like 'Kung flu?'" "The president doesn't," McEnany shot back. "The president points to the fact that the origin of the virus is China. It's a fair thing to point out as China tried to ridiculously rewrite history, ridiculously blame the coronavirus on American soldiers. This is what China is trying to do." "That's what he's saying by using the racist phrase 'Kung flu?'" Jiang asked. When McEnany referenced the place of the virus' origin, Jiang reiterated, "What does he have to say to Asian Americans who are deeply offended and worry his use will lead to further attacks of discrimination?"[38] [39] [39]

McEnany continued to deflect, blaming the Chinese government before calling out specific media organizations for their usage of the "Chinese virus."

"The media blames President Trump for using the terms 'China virus' and 'Wuhan virus' when they themselves have used these terms," she said, before calling out The New York Times, Reuters, and other media organizations. [38]

"To be clear, are you saying the White House does not believe it's racist?" Jiang pressed again.

"To be clear I think the media is trying to play games with the terminology of this virus with focus should be on the fact that China left us out of our country," McEnany responded.

[38]

Social Media

As of July 2020, Jiang has about 356,000 followers on her weijia Twitter account. She posts and comments on current political events.

She also has more than 24,500 followers on her weijia Instagram account. On her Instagram she posts a wide variety of photos related to her work, family, and travel. [26][27]

References

[1]
Citation Linknewyork.cbslocal.comCompany Website
Mar 6, 2016, 9:56 AM
[3]
Citation Linklinkedin.comWeijia Jiang on LinkedIn.
Feb 23, 2016, 1:22 AM
[5]
Citation Linkweijiajiang.comWeijia's homepage.
Feb 23, 2016, 1:23 AM
[6]
Citation Linkfacebook.comFacebookof Weijia.
Nov 18, 2016, 7:17 AM
[7]
Citation Linkfacebook.comOther Facebookof Weijia.
Nov 18, 2016, 7:18 AM
[8]
Citation Linkadweek.comArticle about working for CBS.
Nov 18, 2016, 7:24 AM
[9]
Citation Linkywqaugeunhowzrcj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com[5]
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Nov 18, 2016, 7:27 AM
[11]
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[12]
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Nov 18, 2016, 7:28 AM
[13]
Citation Linkfacebook.comHer other Facebookprofile.
Nov 18, 2016, 7:38 AM
[14]
Citation Linkcbsnews.comLink on cbsnews.com
Apr 28, 2016, 12:25 AM
[15]
Citation Linkyoutube.comYouTubeof CBS New York.
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Citation Linkywqaugeunhowzrcj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com[1]
Nov 19, 2016, 9:20 PM
[20]
Citation Linkthehill.comCBS White House correspondent announces pregnancy with apparent jab at Trump
Mar 28, 2020, 12:07 PM
[21]
Citation Linkwww.thedailybeast.comCBS Reporter: WH Official Called Coronavirus ‘Kung Flu’ to My Face Today
Mar 28, 2020, 12:15 PM
[22]
Citation Linkwww.nydailynews.comWhite House official calls coronavirus ‘Kung-Flu’ to Asian-American reporter as Trump defends ‘Chinese flu’
Mar 28, 2020, 12:15 PM