Maloney, a New York Democrat, asked Chao if a recent Washington Post report that the president had personally lobbied Ryan on the issue was accurate.

“I read it in the newspapers, just like you did,” a clearly displeased Chao responded.

“Right — my question was if it’s true,” Maloney parried back.

Chao allowed that it probably was, but that Maloney would have to check with the White House, an answer that did not satisfy him.

After some tense back and forth, Maloney asked again: “Is the president of the United States personally intervening with the Speaker to kill this project?”

Chao then backed down. “Yes!” she said. “The president is concerned about the viability of this project and the fact that New York and New Jersey have no skin in the game.”

https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/03/chao-confesses-trump-personally-wants-to-kill-nyc-project.html