In a series of confrontations that have renewed criticism of his treatment of women in the media, President Donald Trump recently directed inflammatory personal insults at two female journalists in separate incidents. The remarks—referring to one reporter as “piggy” and another as a “terrible reporter”—have drawn sharp backlash from journalists and media organizations.
Incident 1: Calling a Bloomberg Reporter “Piggy”
The first incident occurred during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One when Trump was questioned about the unfolding Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
- The Reporter: Catherine Lucey, White House Correspondent for Bloomberg News.
- The Question: Ms. Lucey pressed the President on why he would not unilaterally order the release of all files related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, particularly after the House voted on a bill to release the documents.
- The Insult: As Ms. Lucey interjected to follow up, the President interrupted her, pointing and stating: “Quiet. Quiet, piggy.”
The remark, which surfaced in video footage, was quickly condemned by fellow journalists. CNN anchor Jake Tapper called the comment “disgusting and completely unacceptable,” while others noted the President’s history of using gendered and appearance-based insults against female reporters. A White House official defended the President, claiming the reporter “behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way.”
Incident 2: Blasting an ABC News Correspondent as “Terrible”
Just days after the “piggy” remark came to light, the President lashed out at another female reporter during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
- The Reporter: Mary Bruce, Chief White House Correspondent for ABC News.
- The Question: Ms. Bruce posed multiple challenging questions to the President and the Crown Prince, including one regarding potential conflicts of interest with the Trump family business in Saudi Arabia, and another questioning the Prince about the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. She also asked Trump about the Epstein files.
- The Insult: Trump repeatedly attacked Ms. Bruce, interrupting her questions to call her an “ABC fake news” reporter. He later singled her out, stating, “It’s not the question that I mind. It’s your attitude. I think you are a terrible reporter.” He also called her question on Khashoggi a “horrible, insubordinate, and just a terrible question.”
Trump concluded the exchange by telling Ms. Bruce, “No more questions from you,” and even urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to “look at” revoking ABC’s broadcast license over what he termed “fake news.”
🚨 Renewed Criticism
These back-to-back incidents have intensified scrutiny of the President’s combative style, particularly toward women who ask him challenging questions. Critics argue that such language is a deliberate attempt to “shut women journalists up” and sets a dangerous precedent for abuse, impacting the journalists’ ability to work and sending a chilling message to others in the field.