Donald Trump’s comments to a female reporter have sparked intense backlash, but the White House has refused to walk them back and instead doubled down.
On Air Force One on Friday, the president was speaking to reporters when Bloomberg White House correspondent Catherine Lucey asked a question about the Epstein files.
“If there’s nothing incriminating in the files, sir, why not,” Lucey began to question before she was interrupted by Trump.
Highlights
- Trump told Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey “Quiet, piggy” on Air Force One, sparking widespread condemnation from journalists and public figures.
- The White House defended Trump's insult by blaming the reporter, claiming she behaved unprofessionally toward colleagues on the plane.
- CNN’s Jake Tapper and former Fox host Gretchen Carlson publicly condemned Trump’s remarks as degrading and disgusting.
- Trump also angrily criticized ABC reporter Mary Bruce, calling her a terrible reporter and suggesting ABC’s license should be revoked.
Donald Trump snapped at a reporter, "Quiet, piggy," on Air Force One
Image credits: Win McNamee/Getty Images
“Quiet! Quiet, piggy,” Trump snapped back at her while pointing his finger.
The exchange has triggered intense criticism, with fellow journalists describing Trump’s remarks as "disgusting" and “degrading.”
CNN anchor Jake Tapper shared the incident on X, writing, “After a woman reporter asked about President Trump’s name being raised in emails sent by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Trump snaps at her: ‘Quiet, piggy!’
“Disgusting and completely unacceptable.”
Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson also commented on the exchange on X.
“One of my Miss America celeb judges William Goldman wrote an entire book calling me ‘Miss Piggy’ saying I had been too fat to win — at 105 lbs.”
In a statement, the White House attempted to blame Lucey for Trump’s remark towards her.
“This reporter behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way toward her colleagues on the plane,” a spokesperson said. “If you’re going to give it, you have to be able to take.”
“We remain focused on reporting issues of public interest fairly and accurately.”
It is not the first time Trump has used the comment to insult a woman or the first time he has sparked backlash for how he speaks to female reporters.
Just days after the Air Force One exchange, Trump again snapped at another female reporter for asking a question at the White House on Tuesday.
Trump ranted at another female journalist for asking about the Epstein files
Image credits: Kypros/Getty Images
In response to a question about the Epstein files from ABC News’ White House reporter Mary Bruce, Trump said, “It’s not the question that I mind, it’s your attitude.”
He then went on to slam Bruce’s earlier question to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, describing her as a “terrible person and terrible reporter.”
Trump also said he thought ABC’s license should be taken away because it is “so fake.”
“I think the way you ask the question, with the anger and the meanness, is terrible,” he further told Bruce. “You go back and learn how to be a reporter. No more questions from you.”
Tapper was among those to defend Bruce on X and once again slam the president's comments.
“Actually, @marykbruce is a nice person and an excellent and fearless reporter,” he wrote. “So quick to anger on this topic, Mr President!
“You called a different woman reporter asking another legitimate question about Epstein a ‘piggy.’ This topic seems to make you quite mad!”
Carlson also addressed the exchange in a post on X, writing, “Trump is despicable towards female reporters — just now ridiculing the WH @ABC reporter calling her a terrible reporter - and now saying ABC’s license should be taken away because they are fake news. Wtf country do we live in right now?”
On Tuesday, the House voted 427‑1 to release the Epstein files, and the Senate quickly cleared the measure by unanimous consent, sending it to Trump’s desk for his expected signature.