Political commentator and comedian Bill Maher delivered a sharp rebuttal to the White House's defense of President Donald Trump's recent insult directed at a female journalist. The incident has sparked controversy over the president's treatment of the press.
Trump's 'Quiet, Piggy' Outburst
The controversy began earlier this month when President Donald Trump insulted a journalist who was asking him about the release of files connected to the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The exchange occurred on Air Force One, where Trump told the female reporter to be 'Quiet, piggy!' when she pressed him on the sensitive topic.
The incident quickly gained attention on social media, with HuffPost sharing a video of the moment on November 18, 2025. The footage showed the president using the derogatory term to shut down questioning about the Epstein documents.
White House Defense and Maher's Response
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later defended the president's behavior, characterizing it as admirable. She stated that Trump was being 'very frank and honest' with the press and suggested this openness was actually 'respectful'.
During his November 22 episode of 'Real Time', Bill Maher took direct aim at Leavitt's justification. 'Trump is very touchy about the Epstein thing,' Maher began, before recounting the 'quiet, piggy' exchange. He then highlighted Leavitt's subsequent defense of the president's conduct.
Maher concluded with a biting application of the press secretary's own logic: 'Well, in that case, shut up, bitch.' The comedian's remarks were widely shared on social media, including by RedWave Press.
Broader Implications for Press Relations
This incident represents another chapter in the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the news media. The president's use of personal insults against journalists and the subsequent defense by his press secretary have raised questions about the state of press freedom and White House media relations.
The controversy comes amid ongoing public interest in the Epstein files and their potential connections to various high-profile individuals. Trump's sensitivity to questions about the matter has drawn additional scrutiny to his administration's handling of the documents.
