US President Donald Trump is facing intense criticism after he was reported to have referred to a female Bloomberg News correspondent as a "piggy" during an altercation aboard Air Force One. The incident, which occurred on Friday, 14th November 2025, has ignited a fresh debate about the treatment of women in journalism.
Aboard Air Force One: The Confrontation Unfolds
The confrontation took place during an informal press gathering, known as a gaggle, with the President. Catherine Lucey, Bloomberg's White House correspondent, seized the opportunity to question Trump about the unfolding Jeffrey Epstein scandal. She specifically inquired about the House vote to release all files related to the case and asked why the President was behaving in a certain manner "if there’s nothing incriminating in the files".
As Lucey pressed for an answer, Trump reportedly pointed at her and issued a sharp rebuke: "Quiet. Quiet, piggy." The remark was initially reported by CBS News reporter Jennifer Jacobs, though she did not name the journalist at the time.
Widespread Condemnation from Media Figures
The "piggy" comment quickly drew backlash from fellow journalists and media personalities. CNN anchor Jake Tapper described the incident as "Disgusting and completely unacceptable" in a post on the social media platform X. Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson echoed this sentiment, labelling the remark "disgusting and degrading".
When contacted for comment, Catherine Lucey directed The Guardian to a spokesperson for Bloomberg News. Multiple representatives for the news organisation did not respond to requests for comment. Notably, the White House Correspondents’ Association, which has historically defended journalists under attack from Trump, also did not issue a statement.
A Pattern of Personal Attacks on Women
This is not the first time President Trump has used appearance-based insults against women. The term is a familiar one in his repertoire.
- Alicia Machado, the 1996 Miss Universe winner, has stated that Trump called her "Miss Piggy" and pressured her to lose weight when he owned the pageant.
- In 2018, longtime White House correspondent April Ryan was referred to as "Miss Piggy" by Trump administration official Lynne Patton, who later apologised.
In an interview with The Guardian, Ryan condemned the latest attack, stating it was beneath the dignity of the presidency. "The president of the United States is supposed to be the moral leader, the leader of the country, and he’s acting like some thug on the street," she said. Ryan also suggested the outburst indicated Trump's concern over the Epstein files, remarking, "It lets us know that there’s probably some fire there."
Elisa Lees Muñoz, executive director of the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF), told The Guardian that Trump's targeting of women journalists is a deliberate strategy. "His appearance-based insults are gendered attacks meant to shut women journalists up," she said. Muñoz emphasised that such comments from a head of state can trigger a "torrent of abuse" towards the journalist, impacting her work and sending a chilling message to others.
When questioned about the incident, a White House official deflected blame onto the reporter, claiming without evidence that Lucey had behaved "in an inappropriate and unprofessional way towards her colleagues on the plane." The official added, "If you’re going to give it, you have to be able to take it." The White House did not respond to a follow-up request for specifics on the alleged unprofessional behaviour.
