Former President Donald Trump offered an unusual explanation for his noticeably hoarse voice during a White House press engagement on Monday, blaming it on his frustration with what he called "stupid" people during trade discussions.
The Presidential Voice Revelation
The revealing exchange occurred following a meeting of the White House task force focused on the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. NBC News correspondent Garrett Haake noted the former president's vocal condition, asking: "The health of the president is always news. Your voice sounds a little rough. Are you feeling all right?"
Trump immediately insisted he was feeling "great" before delivering his colorful explanation. "I was shouting at people because they were stupid about something having to do with trade in a country, and I straightened it out," Trump revealed. "But I blew my stack at these people."
The former president doubled down on his characterization, adding emphatically: "It's so stupid."
From Voice Concerns to International Affairs
Haake recognized the significance of Trump's admission, responding: "Well, it sounds like there's a follow-up there." However, the journalist pivoted to ask about the escalating situation in Venezuela, where Trump has declined to rule out deploying American troops to confront drug traffickers operating in the region.
The exchange took an unexpected turn when Trump asked Haake to repeat his question, apparently mishearing the journalist. When Haake clarified that he had referenced a potential "follow-up" to Trump's trade dispute story, the former president revealed his misunderstanding: "I thought you said there was a polyp, and I said, 'I don't want to hear that.'"
Social Media Firestorm Erupts
The candid moment quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing immediate reactions from political observers and organizations. The Democratic Party's official X account responded with a mocking post that contained not-safe-for-work language, though the specific content wasn't detailed in the original report.
The incident occurred on November 17, 2025, and represents another example of Trump's unfiltered communication style that has frequently dominated news cycles throughout his political career. His willingness to publicly characterize foreign officials or negotiators as "stupid" while explaining his physical condition marked a departure from traditional diplomatic discourse.
Trump's trade policies have been a cornerstone of his political agenda since his first presidential campaign, though the specific country and trade issue that prompted his outburst remained unspecified during the exchange. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in international trade relationships that have characterized his approach to economic policy.
