A recent interaction aboard Air Force One has ignited a fresh wave of controversy surrounding President Donald Trump’s relationship with the press. During an impromptu question-and-answer session, the President engaged in a sharp exchange with a Bloomberg reporter, Catherine Lucey, who was asking about his name appearing in newly released emails connected to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The confrontation, which was captured on video, has drawn significant criticism for its tone and the specific language used.
The incident occurred as President Trump was fielding questions from journalists. When the topic shifted to the Epstein files, Trump dismissed the inquiry, stating he knew nothing about the messages and deflecting attention toward other individuals named in the documents. As reporter Catherine Lucey attempted to ask a follow-up question, beginning with, “If there’s nothing incriminating in the files, sir, why not…”, the President interjected. He pointed his finger and issued a sharp, unusual command: “Quiet! Quiet, piggy.”
Donald Trump snaps at female reporter who asks about Epstein files:
“Quiet, Piggy!” pic.twitter.com/K42gA3uXCD
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 18, 2025
The video of the moment quickly circulated online, sparking immediate and intense reactions. Many users on social media platforms expressed outrage, with some highlighting the personal nature of the remark. One individual pointedly noted the irony of the comment coming from the President, while others expressed disbelief that any commander-in-chief would address a female journalist in such a manner. The term “piggy” was widely condemned as a deeply unprofessional and disrespectful way to address a member of the press.
In the aftermath of the incident, administration officials offered a defense of the President’s behavior. According to a report from an MSNBC correspondent, they shifted blame to the reporter, claiming she had behaved in an “inappropriate and unprofessional way towards her colleagues on the plane.” The officials added, “If you’re going to give it, you have to be able to take.” The specific actions Lucey was accused of were not detailed, leaving the defense to stand as a general rebuttal to the growing criticism.
This event is not an isolated one in the Trump administration’s history with the media. Just days earlier, the President had suggested that ABC News should have its license revoked after a reporter asked about the murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He has also previously told another journalist, “You are the worst.” This pattern of hostile engagement has reignited concerns about press freedom and the standards of presidential decorum. The “piggy” remark has become the latest flashpoint in an ongoing debate about the appropriate boundaries between the government and the journalists who cover it.
