Former US President Donald Trump launched a furious tirade against an ABC News reporter during a press conference with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, culminating in a call for the broadcaster's licence to be revoked.
Explosive Exchange Over Saudi Relations
The incident occurred on Tuesday 18 November 2025, during a joint appearance with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. ABC News correspondent Mary Bruce pressed Trump on his family's business dealings in Saudi Arabia and questioned the Crown Prince directly about his country's role in the 9/11 attacks and the 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Trump immediately dismissed the line of questioning, branding ABC as 'Fake News'. In a controversial characterisation of the slain journalist, Trump described Khashoggi as an 'extremely controversial' figure, adding that 'a lot of people didn't like him'.
Crown Prince's Response and Further Outburst
When addressing the 9/11 attacks, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed that he felt 'painful' about their effects. He placed the blame squarely on Osama bin Laden, accusing the terrorist leader of using Saudi citizens to commit the atrocities in an attempt to destroy relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
The situation escalated further when Bruce later asked a question concerning the Epstein files. Trump turned his anger directly on the journalist, calling her 'a terrible person' and accusing ABC News of being 'one of the perpetrators'. It was at this point he explicitly threatened the network, demanding that ABC's broadcast licence should be revoked.
Fallout and Press Freedom Concerns
This confrontation highlights the ongoing tensions between the former president and major news organisations, with his 'fake news' rhetoric taking a more severe turn with a direct threat to a broadcaster's operational licence. The exchange also underscores the delicate diplomatic dance surrounding Saudi Arabia and its leadership, particularly on matters of human rights and historical accountability.
