A 33-year-old woman confronted White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Saturday at an Apple Store near Washington, asking the presidential spokesperson “How does it feel to work for a fascist?"
Shree Chauhan filmed her exchange with Spicer on Twitter, which has been viewed more than 750,000 times by Monday afternoon. In the video, Spicer can be seen making a purchase at the store while Chauhan scolds Spicer.
The woman asked Spicer about his ties to Russia multiple times. “Have you committed treason too? Just like the president,” she asked. “What can you tell me about Russia?”
Asking @PressSec questions in Apple Store since he doesn't like the press. https://t.co/l493z2gG4x
— Shree ?????? (@shreec) March 11, 2017
“It’s such a great country that allows you to be here," Spicer responded.
Spicer then shakes hands with what appears to be a customer as the woman continued her questioning. The video lasted less than one minute.
Chauhan, who described herself as an activist in a self-authored post on Medium, said that while living in Washington, she typically leaves public officials alone. But Chauhan admitted that her exchange with Spicer was not polite.
"When I confronted Mr. Spicer, I wanted to speak truth to power," she said. "It wasn’t until hours later that it was revealed to me that Mr. Spicer had said, 'Such a great country that allows you to be here,' to me."
Chauhan, who is an American of Indian descent, said that she saw Spicer's response to her as racist.
"That is racism and it is an implied threat," Chauhan said. "Think about the sheer audacity of Mr. Spicer to say that to my face with a smile, knowing that he that he is being recorded on video and the position of power he holds in our government."
On Sunday, Chauhan replied to dozens of comments criticizing her for her exchange with Spicer.
@shreec @arielzilber very unprofessional. Just like a liberal snowflake. Maybe acting as a grown up might of yielded him taking 2 U.#MAGA
— Randy Rubin (@RubinRandy) March 13, 2017
@shreec How much does George Soros pay you?
— Buckeye (@TheVictoryBell) March 13, 2017
Justin Boggs is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @jjboggs or on Facebook.
