Donald Trump’s hostility toward the press was on display again this week, with critics calling his latest outburst one of his most extreme.
“Quiet! Quiet, piggy!”
On November 14 aboard Air Force One, Trump lashed out at Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey after she asked about his name appearing in newly released Jeffrey Epstein emails. Trump dismissed the question, claimed he knew nothing about the messages, and insisted attention should be on others named — including Bill Clinton. When Lucey attempted to follow up, he cut her off with, “Quiet! Quiet, piggy,” a moment caught on camera and widely shared online.
The comment sparked immediate backlash. Social media users mocked the insult, questioned Trump’s treatment of female journalists, and criticized the White House press corps for not responding. Reddit commenters piled on with both humor and condemnation.
MSNBC correspondent Vaughn Hillyard later reported that administration officials defended Trump by blaming the reporter, claiming she had acted “inappropriately” toward colleagues — though no details were given.
This incident follows several recent clashes between Trump and the media. Over the weekend, he snapped at another reporter, saying, “You are the worst,” and earlier targeted ABC’s Mary Bruce, suggesting the FCC should consider revoking ABC’s license over coverage he called “fake.”
The latest exchange has renewed concerns about Trump’s escalating attacks on journalists, especially his targeting of a female reporter.