Donald Trump has faced widespread criticism after referring to a Bloomberg News correspondent as a 'piggy' during an exchange on Air Force One. The incident, which occurred on Friday but gained traction on Tuesday, has drawn backlash from journalists and commentators who accuse the US president of using demeaning language to silence women reporters.
The remark came as Catherine Lucey, Bloomberg's White House correspondent, questioned Trump about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the possibility of releasing files related to the case. As Lucey pressed on why Trump was acting 'if there's nothing incriminating in the files,' Trump pointed at her and said: 'Quiet. Quiet, piggy.'
CNN anchor Jake Tapper described the comment as 'disgusting and completely unacceptable,' while former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson called it 'disgusting and degrading.' April Ryan, a longtime White House correspondent who has herself been targeted by Trump, said the attack was beneath the dignity of the presidency and suggested it indicated Trump's unease over the Epstein files. 'It lets us know that there's probably some fire there,' she told the Guardian.
Bloomberg News defended its journalist, stating that its White House reporters 'perform a vital public service, asking questions without fear or favor.' The White House Correspondents' Association did not respond to requests for comment. A White House official, speaking anonymously, accused Lucey of behaving 'in an inappropriate and unprofessional way' but provided no evidence.
The insult echoes Trump's past treatment of women, including Miss Universe winner Alicia Machado, whom he called 'Miss Piggy' in 1996. Elisa Lees Muñoz, executive director of the International Women's Media Foundation, said the remark was a 'gendered attack meant to shut women journalists up' and warned it could have a chilling effect on female reporters.
