Donald Trump snapped at a Bloomberg reporter on Friday while returning to Washington, telling her to “quiet, quiet piggy” as she asked about the release of remaining Epstein files.
The reporter, Catherine Lucey, was questioning the president about why he had not released all documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes. Trump singled her out, pointed in her direction, and barked the insult.
Video of the exchange quickly circulated online.
“This is the president of the United States. This is how he talks to the press and other adults that he is supposed to lead. America can do so much better!” said Occupy Democrats, a left-leaning political group.
QUIET PIGGY!!
Trump crashes out and derails a reporter with a stern comment! This is the President of the United States. This is how he talks to the press and other adults that he is supposed to lead.
America can do so much better! pic.twitter.com/NygY1Sm2In
— Occupy Democrats (@OccupyDemocrats) November 18, 2025
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Another organization, Really American, called the moment “disgusting” and described Trump as a “disrespectful, unfit creep.”
The exchange was not the end of the story. Hours later, Trump appeared to pivot on the Epstein files, posting on Truth Social that House Republicans should vote to release them.
“We have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party…The House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON’T CARE,” he wrote.
Despite this apparent reversal, the Air Force One outburst underscores Trump’s combative approach to the press. Lucey, who has worked at Bloomberg since 2017 and previously reported for the Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press, has covered politics and gender issues across multiple administrations.
Trump also suggested during the tarmac gaggle that Bloomberg should fire Lucey, a remark that fueled additional criticism.
This is not the first time Trump has used “piggy” as an insult.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, former Miss Universe Alicia Machado recalled being called “Miss Piggy” by Trump when he co-owned the pageant. Machado said he frequently yelled at her, criticizing her looks and weight, and occasionally mocking her in front of others.
The Air Force One incident comes amid ongoing public scrutiny over Epstein’s files. Last week, 23,000 documents were released, including emails claiming Epstein said Trump “knew about the girls” and spent hours at his home with Virginia Giuffre. Trump has consistently denied any criminal wrongdoing.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on Tuesday to release the remaining files. Trump has spent months downplaying the matter, calling it a “Democrat hoax.”
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
