Once again, Donald Trump Criticizes Female Journalists
On Friday, December 12, Donald Trump addressed the press, and his interactions with a female White House journalist sparked further discussions about his demeanor towards women in media. Recently, Trump has been caught up in a series of criticisms for his approach towards female reporters, raising eyebrows and debate.
Earlier instances of this behavior include an incident in November, when Trump made headlines for calling Bloomberg journalist Catherine Lucey a “quiet piggy” during a press conference. This comment came after Lucey inquired about documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stood by these remarks, claiming they reflected Trump’s commitment to candidness with reporters.
ABC News’ Rachel Scott also found herself at the receiving end of Trump’s sharp words. Scott had questioned Trump’s prior promise to release footage from an incident involving an alleged illegal strike on a suspected drug vessel. Trump’s response was to label her “obnoxious” and a “terrible reporter.” Trump has similarly referred to CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins as “nasty” and “stupid,” which Collins later addressed publicly.
Another Turn with Female Reporters
In his latest encounter, Trump addressed a reporter with remarks about her “aggressive” nature, advising her to be “nice and easy.” The Independent suggested this comment was aimed at NBC News journalist Yamiche Alcindor, who probed Trump about the release of Epstein-related photographs.
Previously, Trump called Alcindor “second-rate” after she questioned his sharing of an AI-generated image that suggested a “war” on Chicago amid an immigration crackdown. In another instance during a 2020 COVID-19 briefing, Trump told Alcindor to “be nice,” accusing her of appearing “threatening.”
Further controversy ensued following Trump’s comments about New York Times reporter Katie Rogers. Describing her as “ugly, both inside and out” after she wrote an article about his health, the backlash was immediate. However, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended Trump, stating that he doesn’t aim to be politically correct. She claimed voters appreciate his transparency and the criticism wasn’t about gender but indicated low public trust in the media.
Equal Opportunity Criticism?
The White House highlighted Trump’s equal criticism of male reporters, providing examples where he dismissed a Reuters reporter as “third-rate” and characterizing a Wall Street Journal journalist as working for a “rotten” organization.
The New York Times, in response to Trump’s remarks, expressed support for its reporting. Charlie Stadtlander, the executive director of media relations and communications, emphasized the publication’s commitment to accurate and firsthand reporting. He noted that personal attacks would not deter their journalists from covering vital news about government leadership, underscoring the importance of independent journalism in informing the public about government operations.
