While welcoming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Oval Office, President Trump went on a furious rant against ABC reporter Mary Bruce. She had asked about the Jeffrey Epstein files, and Trump didn’t like it one bit.
“You know, it’s not the question I mind, it’s your attitude—I think you are a terrible reporter,” Trump snapped.
He threatened ABC’s broadcast license and told Bruce to “go back and learn how to be a reporter.” He also called the network “radical left” and claimed its news is “fake and wrong.”
The questions weren’t out of line.
Bruce asked about Trump’s business in Saudi Arabia and the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which U.S. intelligence links to bin Salman. Trump defended both himself and the Crown Prince.
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When Bruce pressed about the Epstein files, Trump’s temper flared again. “You start off with a man who’s highly respected, asking him a horrible, insubordinate, and just a terrible question,” he said.
“And you could even ask that same question nicely. You’re a terrible person and a terrible reporter. As far as Epstein goes, I threw him out of my club because he was a sick pervert.”
Reporter: Why wait for Congress to release the Epstein files? Why not do it now?
TRUMP: “It’s not the question I mind, it’s your attitude. You’re a terrible reporter…
asking a highly respected man an insubordinate question.”
This is what panic looks like.
A president who… pic.twitter.com/nZX1ez1JIg
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) November 18, 2025
This is not new. Just a day before, Trump called Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey a “piggy” for asking about Epstein on Air Force One.
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
CNN’s Jake Tapper called it “disgusting and completely unacceptable.” Former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson agreed.
Critics pointed out a pattern. Ron Filipkowski, a former Republican now with MeidasTouch, said Trump attacks women reporters most aggressively.
Probably a coincidence that Trump launches his most vicious personal attacks and insults on a daily basis consistently against female reporters.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) November 18, 2025
Former Obama adviser David Axelrod noted that Trump “throws a hissy fit” over tough questions while protecting bin Salman, who is linked to Khashoggi’s murder.
Angered by important questions from Mary Bruce of @ABC at his Oval presser w/the Saudi Crown prince, @POTUS throws a hissy fit, suggesting ABC should lose its license.
This after totally absolving MBS, who’s been linked by U.S. Intel to the slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) November 18, 2025
Featured image via X screengrab
