The White House has firmly backed President Donald Trump following two separate incidents where he aggressively confronted female journalists from major American news outlets, defending his behavior as justified response to what they characterize as unprofessional conduct.
Confrontations Spark Controversy
In two notable incidents occurring within days of each other, President Trump engaged in heated exchanges with reporters that have drawn significant attention. The first confrontation took place aboard Air Force One on Friday, November 14, 2025, when Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey asked about recently revealed emails connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
President Trump responded to Lucey with the phrase "quiet, piggy," creating immediate controversy. Footage from the incident shows Lucey and another journalist attempting to speak simultaneously, a common occurrence among press corps members competing for the president's attention.
Oval Office Tensions Escalate
The second confrontation occurred during a Tuesday meeting in the Oval Office with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman present. ABC News correspondent Mary Bruce posed questions about several sensitive topics, including the 2018 murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Trump family's business dealings, and the ongoing Epstein scandal.
Trump reacted strongly, telling Bruce not to "embarrass our guest" and labeling her a "terrible reporter." He went further by threatening ABC's broadcast license during the exchange. The president appeared particularly angered by the timing and nature of the questions during the diplomatic visit.
White House Response and Justification
On Wednesday, the White House officially responded to both incidents with unwavering support for the president's conduct. Regarding the Lucey confrontation, a White House official speaking anonymously stated: "This reporter behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way towards her colleagues on the plane. If you're going to give it, you have to be able to take."
The administration followed with a comprehensive fact sheet targeting ABC News, which they described as a "Democrat spin operation masquerading as a broadcast network." The document contained examples spanning eight years of what the White House characterized as "a deliberate deception to wage war on President Trump and the millions of Americans who elected him to multiple terms."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and the White House Correspondents Association, which represents journalists covering the presidency, had not issued public statements in response to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
These verbal assaults represent some of the most sharply confrontational moments even for President Trump, who has built a reputation throughout his political career for challenging what he consistently labels "fake news" media.
