WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — President Donald Trump took time to appreciate and honor fellow South Asian members in his administration during a Diwali celebration, but he did also manage to throw a jab at Ajit Pai.
Pai, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, was criticized by Trump earlier this year during the Sinclair-Tribune merger which halted the conservative local news giants.
The decision made by Pai, a conservative, infuriated Trump:
So sad and unfair that the FCC wouldn’t approve the Sinclair Broadcast merger with Tribune. This would have been a great and much needed Conservative voice for and of the People. Liberal Fake News NBC and Comcast gets approved, much bigger, but not Sinclair. Disgraceful!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2018
Fast forward to the Diwali celebration at the White House, the president managed to bring it up again. After raving about how “grateful” he was to have numerous Americans of Indian and Southeast Asian heritage in critical roles and who’ve done an “incredible job,” the remark was unfitting.
After singling out Pai, he reflected on some of that “incredible” and said the following:
“”I just didn’t like one decision he made, but that’s alright,” he joked, then he subtracted some of that “alright,” adding: “not even a little bit, but he’s independent.”
Pai, who is of Indian American descent, was designated by Trump in January 2017 — becoming the first Indian American to hold the office.
The Harvard and Chicago Law School graduate previously served as commissioner of the FCC after being appointed by former president Barack Obama.
Though Trump didn’t elaborate much after pointing him out, it has been noted that Pai carries a heavy load in how media is presented.
Pai’s decision to reverse Sinclair’s merger was based on his stance of the people’s interest and keeping media diverse throughout the country.
Along with first amendment best practices, Pai is focusing on issues relating to broadband, public safety and fiscal responsibility.
