search
Sections List
American Journal News

April Ryan fires back: Won’t "break bread" with White House that "considers me the enemy"

American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) White House correspondent April Ryan has been a consistently tough journalist during her 20-year tenure in the Brady Briefing Room, but doing her job well has earned Ryan nothing but overt hostility from Donald Trump and his minions. That hostility was expressed this week when Ryan was inexplicably excluded from […]

By Tommy Christopher - December 02, 2017
Share
April Ryan
American Urban Radio Networks White House correspondent April Ryan

American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) White House correspondent April Ryan has been a consistently tough journalist during her 20-year tenure in the Brady Briefing Room, but doing her job well has earned Ryan nothing but overt hostility from Donald Trump and his minions.

That hostility was expressed this week when Ryan was inexplicably excluded from the White House Christmas reception for reporters and their families.

While her colleagues attended the event Friday, Ryan posted a message firing back at the Trump White House, saying that she had not planned to attend to go in the first place.

The reasons she gave, and her plans going forward, demonstrate the fearlessness that earned Ryan the 2017 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Journalist of the Year award:

RYAN: The White House placed a target on my head, they did it that in August, when they did that campaign ad calling me, along with other people were not White House correspondents, who were talk show hosts, as the enemy.

So with that said, I will not break bread with someone who considers me the enemy and puts a target on my head… I also am emboldened and empowered by the fact that the First Amendment covers me. Freedom of the press!

This is the latest in a string of attacks on Ryan launched by the White House. In August, Trump went after her in a campaign ad. Ryan was also verbally attacked in person by Trump and both of his press secretaries. Despite this, she has fearlessly continued to press the administration on the issues that matter.

Meanwhile, the White House Christmas party, which was also boycotted by CNN, turned out to be a characteristically Trumpian disaster.

According to the New York Times, the reporters who did attend used the opportunity to pepper Trump with questions about disgraced (and now convicted) former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Events such as these are normally considered “off the record,” and not occasions for news gathering.

Trump responded by refusing to answer those questions, and then skipping the photo line that presidents normally participate in at the event.

“The president did find time to greet Maria Bartiromo, the Fox Business host, complimenting her on her ratings,” the Times noted.

Unlike his praise for Fox employees, Trump has shown nothing but disdain toward powerful journalists like Ryan. But like the professional she is, Ryan isn’t letting that stop her from doing her crucial work.


AJ News
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Read More
AJ News
Latest
Rep. Bresnahan sold shares in PA companies ahead of market drop

Rep. Bresnahan sold shares in PA companies ahead of market drop

By Jesse Valentine - May 21, 2025
Senate Republicans confirm convicted felon as U.S. ambassador

Senate Republicans confirm convicted felon as U.S. ambassador

By Jesse Valentine - May 20, 2025
Texas women face prosecution for abortions if new bill becomes law

Texas women face prosecution for abortions if new bill becomes law

By Bonnie Fuller - May 16, 2025
It’s not just Medicaid—House Republicans want to cut food stamps too

It’s not just Medicaid—House Republicans want to cut food stamps too

By Jesse Valentine - May 15, 2025
Disability advocates arrested protesting GOP Medicaid cuts

Disability advocates arrested protesting GOP Medicaid cuts

By Jesse Valentine - May 14, 2025
Republican Bill Huizenga cheers power plant funds he tried to block

Republican Bill Huizenga cheers power plant funds he tried to block

By Jesse Valentine - May 12, 2025
Jack Ciattarelli called harmful tariffs a “grand experiment”

Jack Ciattarelli called harmful tariffs a “grand experiment”

By Jesse Valentine - May 09, 2025
Paul LePage, a Medicaid critic, launches congressional bid in Maine

Paul LePage, a Medicaid critic, launches congressional bid in Maine

By Jesse Valentine - May 06, 2025
Earle-Sears ignored trans issues in office—now she uses them as a wedge

Earle-Sears ignored trans issues in office—now she uses them as a wedge

By Jesse Valentine - May 05, 2025
Trump effectively shuts down campaign finance watchdog

Trump effectively shuts down campaign finance watchdog

By Jesse Valentine - April 30, 2025
Ciattarelli wants a DOGE-style commission to crack down on New Jersey Medicaid recipients

Ciattarelli wants a DOGE-style commission to crack down on New Jersey Medicaid recipients

By Jesse Valentine - April 30, 2025
House Republicans roll out new plan to decimate Medicaid

House Republicans roll out new plan to decimate Medicaid

By Jesse Valentine - April 24, 2025
Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

By Jesse Valentine - April 22, 2025
Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

By Jesse Valentine - April 21, 2025
“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

By Bonnie Fuller - April 21, 2025
Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

By Jesse Valentine - April 17, 2025
Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

By Jesse Valentine - April 16, 2025
North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

By Jesse Valentine - April 11, 2025
Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

By Jesse Valentine - April 09, 2025
Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

By Jesse Valentine - April 08, 2025
Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025