Donald Trump has come under fire after referring to a female Bloomberg News correspondent as a 'piggy' during an exchange on Air Force One. The remark, which occurred on Friday, has drawn widespread condemnation from journalists and advocacy groups, who accuse the US president of using demeaning language to silence women.
The incident took place when Bloomberg's White House correspondent, Catherine Lucey, asked Trump about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the potential release of related files. As she pressed her question, Trump pointed at her and said, 'Quiet. Quiet, piggy.' The comment was first reported by CBS News journalist Jennifer Jacobs.
Critics have been quick to denounce the remark. CNN anchor Jake Tapper called it 'disgusting and completely unacceptable,' while former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson described it as 'disgusting and degrading.' April Ryan, a veteran White House correspondent who has herself been targeted by Trump, said the president's behaviour was 'beneath the dignity of the presidency' and likened him to 'some thug on the street.'
Elisa Lees Muñoz, executive director of the International Women's Media Foundation, said Trump's 'piggy' insult was part of a pattern of 'gendered attacks meant to shut women journalists up.' She warned that such language from the head of government could trigger a 'torrent of abuse' towards the journalist and deter others from asking tough questions.
A spokesperson for Bloomberg News defended Lucey, stating that the organisation's White House journalists 'perform a vital public service, asking questions without fear or favor.' The White House, however, accused the reporter of behaving 'in an inappropriate and unprofessional way,' without providing evidence. The White House Correspondents' Association did not respond to requests for comment.
