THE counselor to the US president asked a journalist what their "ethnicity" is after being asked about the intent of recent tweets by Donald Trump.

Yesterday, in a series of tweets, Trump told four congresswomen – all US citizens – that they should "go back" to the countries they came from. The comments received huge backlash.

During questions with Trump aide Kellyanne Conway, a reporter asked: "To which countries was he referring?"

Conway responded: "What's your ethnicity?"

The journalist replies: "Why is that relevant to the question?"

Conway then says: "No no, because I'm asking you a question.

"My ancestors are from Ireland and Italy."

The journalist fires back: "My own ancestry is not relevant to the question I'm asking".

The White House staffer then replies: "No no, it is, because you're asking, about, he said, originally. He said originally from.

"You know everything he has said since, and to have a full conversation."

She goes on: "The president's already commented on that, and he's said a lot about it since. He's put out a lot of tweets and he made himself available to all of you yesterday.

"He's tired. A lot of us are sick and tired in this country, of America coming last. To people who swore an oath of office."

READ MORE: Donald Trump: 'I don't have a Racist bone in my body'

Earlier today, Trump insisted he doesn't "have a Racist bone" in his body after receiving a barrage of criticism over the original tweets.