President Trump interrupted a female White House correspondent aboard Air Force One and called her "piggy," drawing widespread criticism. A White House official defended the president, calling the reporter's behavior "inappropriate and unprofessional," while colleagues and press advocates defended the reporter and emphasized the press's role. The incident adds to a pattern of demeaning remarks toward women that has drawn repeated public censure.
White House Defends Trump After He Calls Reporter 'Piggy', Sparking Outrage
President Trump interrupted a female White House correspondent aboard Air Force One and called her "piggy," drawing widespread criticism. A White House official defended the president, calling the reporter's behavior "inappropriate and unprofessional," while colleagues and press advocates defended the reporter and emphasized the press's role. The incident adds to a pattern of demeaning remarks toward women that has drawn repeated public censure.
07:04 AM, 11/19/2025Politics
President Donald Trump has come under intense criticism after he interrupted a female White House correspondent aboard Air Force One and called her "piggy." The exchange has prompted condemnation from journalists and others who said the remark was demeaning and inappropriate.
During a question about files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the reporter began, "If there's nothing incriminating in the files, sir, why not—" before the president cut her off. Trump then pointed and said, "Quiet! Quiet, piggy."
A White House official defended the president, saying the reporter's conduct on the plane had been "inappropriate and unprofessional" toward fellow journalists and adding that those who ask confrontational questions must "be able to take" them. A spokesperson for the reporter's employer highlighted the importance of independent journalists asking tough questions in the public interest.
The reporter, Catherine Lucey, recently joined the White House beat and has previously covered the presidency for major national outlets. Colleagues in the press corps publicly expressed support for her on social media, calling attention to the role of the press in holding power to account.
In a separate exchange the same week, Trump — visibly annoyed — told another female reporter who pressed him on the Epstein files, "I think the way you ask the question, with the anger and the meanness, is terrible. You go back and learn how to be a reporter. No more questions from you."
Observers noted that the incident fits a pattern of demeaning language the president has used toward women. Past targets have included columnist Gail Collins, who said Trump once sent her copies of columns he disliked while calling her a "dog and a liar" and saying she had "the face of a pig." Former Miss Universe Alicia Machado has said Trump called her "Miss Piggy" and other insulting names, and comedian Rosie O'Donnell has also been repeatedly attacked with slurs.
"Here's the problem with political correctness," Trump said in 2016. "It takes too long. We don't have time."
The episode has renewed debate about civility, the treatment of reporters, and the boundaries of presidential rhetoric. Press advocates argue that name-calling from the nation's highest office undermines public trust and discourages vigorous journalism, while supporters say that pointed exchanges are part of an adversarial press relationship.