President Donald Trump on Wednesday sidestepped a question from Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich, instead issuing a veiled threat against her fiancé, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Pennsylvania. The exchange occurred during a press gaggle at Joint Base Andrews.
Trump's Response to Heinrich
Heinrich asked Trump whether he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The president ignored the query, turning aside to remark, "Her husband votes against me all the time. Can you imagine?" He then addressed Heinrich directly: "I don't know what's with him. You better ask what's with him." A Fox News spokesperson confirmed to The Philadelphia Inquirer that Heinrich and Fitzpatrick are engaged.
Trump continued, "He likes voting against Trump. You know what happens with that? It doesn't work out well." This threat came less than a week after Fitzpatrick, a moderate Republican representing a district that voted for Kamala Harris in 2024, joined Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Tom Barrett of Michigan in backing an unsuccessful measure to require congressional authorization for Trump's Iran policy. Fitzpatrick, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary, is seeking reelection in November. Massie lost his primary to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein on Tuesday.
Fitzpatrick's Response
Hours after Trump's remarks, Fitzpatrick delivered what he called "bad news" for the president regarding the Justice Department's nearly $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund," which critics have labeled a "slush fund." "We're going to try to kill it," Fitzpatrick told MeidasTouch reporter Scott MacFarlane. He added to CNN's Kaitlan Collins that "every dime" of government spending should support "over half of Americans that are living paycheck to paycheck." He emphasized, "That's got to be at the forefront of every single House or Senate member's mind ... for that and many other reasons, I am completely objecting to this, and I'm going to do everything I can to fight it."
Social Media Backlash
Trump's comments drew widespread criticism on social media. One user on X described them as "morally repulsive." Others noted the irony of Trump attacking a Republican incumbent in a key district. Commentators pointed out that Fitzpatrick had supported Trump during the January 6 aftermath and voted against impeachment. Some analysts suggested the attack could actually benefit Fitzpatrick in the general election by highlighting his independence from Trump.
