US Politics
‘Shh, you’re very obnoxious’: Trump targets another woman reporter with cranky response to Iran war questions
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Read more
President Trump shushed a female reporter on Air Force One on Sunday, before branding her as a “very obnoxious person.”
The exchange took place during a press gaggle, during which Trump took questions about the Iran War.
The reporter had asked the president about a picture of him at a dignified transfer ceremony of soldiers killed in the conflict with Iran. The image had been used in a fundraising email for his political action committee.
When asked whether the use of the image was appropriate, Trump said, “I do.”
open image in gallery
The journalist followed up by questioning whether Trump was raising money from the fallen troops. Then, the president changed tack and said that he “didn’t see” the email.
“I mean, somebody puts it out,” he added. “We have a lot of people working for us.”
He went on to claim that “there’s nobody that’s better to the military than me.”
Eventually, Trump turned back to the reporter and asked her which news outlet she worked for. She responded by saying ABC News.
“One of the worst, most fake, most corrupt…you know what, ABC News, I think it’s maybe the most corrupt news organizations (sic) on the planet,” he said. “I think they’re terrible.”
“You’re much better,” he said, addressing a male journalist.
During the press gaggle, Trump raised a finger and shushed the ABC reporter as she tried to ask another question.
open image in gallery
“You’re a very obnoxious person,” he added.
In yet another exchange between the pair, the ABC reporter asked Trump whether he had any comment on the 6 U.S. service members killed in an Iranian drone strike on a base in Kuwait.
While being asked the question, Trump stared intently at the journalist. When they finished, he abruptly turned away.
“Go ahead,” he told the other reporters. “Who else?”
Later on Sunday, the president posted multiple lengthy Truth Social posts, attacking the media for its coverage of the Iran War, the Supreme Court justices who voted against his tariffs, and championing Fox News host Mark Levin.
Trump has repeatedly boasted about the United States military successes in the conflict with Iran.
Yesterday, he claimed that an Iranian oil facility had been “totally demolished” but that the U.S. could continue to bomb the site “just for fun.”
Last week, he said that there is “practically nothing left to target” in Iran.
open image in gallery
Meanwhile, questions have continued to be raised over the cost of the war.
The U.S. allegedly used $11.3 billion worth of munitions in the first week of the war, sources told The New York Times.
The sources claimed that Pentagon officials confirmed the figure in a closed-door briefing last week, with the huge sum not including the cost of the United States’ huge military buildup in the Middle East.
Oil prices have spiked as a result of the conflict, too, putting pressure on Trump domestically after he promised to lower energy prices during his presidential campaign.