Critics have condemned White House Communications Director Steven Cheung after he unleashed a profane social media post targeting a former top official from the Trump administration. On Saturday, Cheung responded to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who had questioned a reported deal with Iran on X, calling it "not remotely America First."
Cheung's Inflammatory Response
Cheung fired back with a post that read: "Mike Pompeo has no idea what the fuck he’s talking about. He should shut his stupid mouth and leave the real work to the professionals. He’s not read into anything that’s happening, so how would he know." The outburst is the latest in a series of aggressive posts from Cheung, who recently warned Trump's critics to "Fuck around, find out" and previously referred to former Late Show host Stephen Colbert as an "entitled prick."
Public and Critic Reactions
Critics argue that Cheung's language is unbecoming of a senior White House official. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick tweeted: "I will never get used to this kind of obscenity being used in an official statement by the White House Communication Director. The White House no longer aspires to lead from a higher moral vantage point, it seeks to fight in the mud with the pigs." Another user, Eliza, stated: "No one in our government, especially the White House, should be talking like this. You’re the Assistant to the President of the United States and WH Communications Director. It’s disgraceful and makes a mockery of our country."
Aaron Rupar questioned: "Is it a sign that things are going well when your spokesperson is posting like a jilted incel 8th grader?" Michael A. Cohen expressed dismay: "It’s just so utterly depressing that this person has a position of responsibility in the federal government." Dianne Callahan noted: "This type of communication coming from the White House has become acceptable. For most of my life, the White House has been a place to be revered... This post from Steven Cheung is an egregious..."
Matt Bennett remarked: "It will never be not shocking that White House officials communicate this way." Another user, MQ-9 Reaper Stan Account, asked: "How does Steven Cheung get away with this? If literally any other comms director tweeted like this it would be a massive scandal." Lawoftheland stated: "The 'F word' is uncalled for and inappropriate for a statement coming from a federal official." Brett Meiselas urged: "Can you all grow up? You work in the White House. Act like it for once. This shouldn’t be a political thing. Just have some decency, man."
OSINTdefender questioned: "Do you actually do anything at the White House, or is your job just to attack people and defend the Trump Administration all day on X?" Phyd commented: "You are a little touchy, aren’t you. In this country we are allowed to question the government." Captain Spatchcock said: "Classy. Definitely a professional way to represent the White House." UsHadrons highlighted the contrast: "'no idea what the fuck he’s talking about. He should shut his stupid mouth' 'professionals'."
The repeated use of profanity by a White House official has sparked a broader debate about the standards of communication expected from the highest levels of government.
