Only weeks after President Donald Trump’s “quiet, piggy” insult, the White House is back to defend Trump again after he berated another journalist.
The New York Times reporter Katie Rogers co-wrote a story examining signs that the 79-year-old president may be slowing down during his second term.
The article noted that Trump has been traveling less domestically and highlighted moments that raised questions about fatigue, including one instance in which he appeared to fall asleep during a meeting—a claim Trump has denied.
Highlights
- President Trump called NYT reporter Katie Rogers 'ugly' and a 'third rate reporter' after her story on his possible fatigue.
- The White House defended Trump's blunt style, saying voters support his transparency and frankness, dismissing criticism as political correctness.
- NYT and other media outlets stood by their journalists, condemning Trump's insults as intimidation tactics.
- Trump has recently insulted multiple female reporters and political figures, with White House officials defending his direct communication style.
The White House defended Trump after he insulted another female journalist within days
Image credits: Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images
In a Wednesday Truth Social post, Trump said Rogers is “is a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out,” and accused her of being “assigned to write only bad things about me [him].”
He also dismissed The New York Times as a “cheap ‘RAG’” and repeated his claim that the newspaper is an “ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE.”
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the president’s remarks, saying Trump’s blunt communication style is part of what voters support.
“President Trump has never been politically correct, never holds back, and in large part, the American people re-elected him for his transparency,” she said.
“This has nothing to do with gender,” Jackson said, adding, “it has everything to do with the fact that the President’s and the public’s trust in the media is at all time lows.”
Trump also used his post to argue that he maintains strong energy levels. He pointed to a recent physical exam and what he described as a “comprehensive cognitive test” that he “aced,” saying the results contradict any suggestion that he is slowing down. He also appeared to confuse dementia screening with an IQ test.
Rogers’ story, co-written with reporter Dylan Freedman, also noted occasions when Trump appeared with a bruise on his hand, prompting questions about his health.
A spokesperson for The New York Times defended Rogers and her reporting, saying, “The Times’s reporting is accurate and built on first hand reporting of the facts.
“Name-calling and personal insults don’t change that, nor will our journalists hesitate to cover this administration in the face of intimidation tactics like this.”
Image credits: William B. Plowman/Getty Images
The statement, shared with People, added, “Expert and thorough reporters like Katie Rogers exemplify how an independent and free press helps the American people better understand their government and its leaders.”
Trump’s comment about Rogers is the third time in recent weeks that he has aimed personal insults at female reporters. Earlier in November, he told Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey, “Quiet, piggy,” aboard Air Force One after she questioned him about the Epstein files.
During a November 20 press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s “piggy” remark. She told reporters the president is “frank and open and honest” and that voters appreciate his direct style.
Trump called the NYT journalist ‘ugly’ and the publication a ‘cheap RAG’
Image credits: Pete Marovich/Getty Images
“Look, the president is very frank & honest with everyone in this room,” Leavitt told reporters. “You've all seen it yourselves. You've all experienced it yourselves. And I think it's one of the many reasons the American people re-elected this president, because of his frankness.”
“He calls out fake news when he sees it. He gets frustrated with reporters when you lie about him, when you spread fake news about him and his administration,” she continued.
Trump also criticized ABC News correspondent Mary Bruce earlier this month after she questioned him about the Epstein files during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He told her she was a “terrible reporter” and later called her a “terrible person.”
Similarly, Trump also insulted ABC News, calling it a “crappy company” before calling for its broadcast license to be revoked.
Image credits: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
News organizations have continued to defend their reporters. Bloomberg News said its White House journalists “perform a vital public service” and ask questions “without fear or favor.”
While Trump’s recent comments have targeted several female reporters, he has also attacked other political figures.
On Tuesday, during the White House turkey-pardon ceremony, he insulted Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, saying he has “a low IQ” and called Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker “a fat slob.”