The White House’s Rapid Response 47 team created a new controversy this week after going after journalist Kate Bennett online. Instead of correcting her claims about Trump, their reaction ended up reinforcing them.
Bennett is well-known for her reporting on Trump and Melania. She covered the Trump White House for years. She also wrote Free Melania: The Unauthorized Biography, which looked at Melania’s public image and life inside the White House. Her work has often received strong reactions from Trump supporters.
The dispute began on Nov. 28. That morning, Bennett posted on X:
“You know, everyone keeps writing these stories about how President Trump is only insulting female reporters by calling them piggy, ugly, stupid etc. But, it’s actually because the women are the ones asking all the tough questions. Give that a thought.”
You know, everyone keeps writing these stories about how President Trump is only insulting female reporters by calling them piggy, ugly, stupid etc. But, it’s actually because the women are the ones asking all the tough questions. Give that a thought.
— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) November 28, 2025
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Her message spread fast, and soon the White House’s Rapid Response 47 team stepped in.
They replied with a personal attack instead of addressing her point. Their post said:
“Give this a thought: how big of a scumbag you must be to have been fired from CNN of all places.”
Give this a thought: how big of a scumbag you must be to have been fired from CNN of all places. https://t.co/PSiNLQOVOE
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 28, 2025
That reply immediately set off reactions. Two X users mocked the exchange, writing “Hahahahahhahaaaaaaa” and “He is afraid of smart women.”
Others supported the White House and wrote comments such as:
“CNN’s journalistic standard are so low, being fired is actually impressive.”
CNN’s journalistic standards are so low, being fired is actually impressive.
— AMIRAN 🇮🇱 (@Amiran_Zizovi) November 28, 2025
And another added,
“He insults dudes all the time. Trump does not discriminate, he trolls all that deserve it. No matter who they are.”
He insults dudes all the time. Trump does not discriminate, he trolls all that deserve it no matter who they are.
— Katie (@ktwowey) November 28, 2025
But several people pushed back on the White House and sided with Bennett. One person posted:
“That’s an interesting take, but insults aren’t the answer—especially when they target women reporters doing their job. Tough questions should be met with respect, not name-calling. Accountability goes both ways.”
That’s an interesting take, but insults aren’t the answer—especially when they target women reporters doing their job. Tough questions should be met with respect, not name-calling. Accountability goes both ways.
— ulan ayı (@MuratPetroic) November 28, 2025
Another wrote:
“Well taken, Kate. The orange buffoon has always treated women like dirt or chattel. He can never keep his crude mouth shut.”
Well taken, Kate. The orange buffoon has always treated women like dirt or chattels. He can never keep his crude mouth shut.
— Dan Garcia (@garc73012164) November 29, 2025
Someone else reacted to the White House’s tone and said:
“The response to Kate Bennett’s post is a prime example of how the current administration reacts when the truth is written or spoken about it. The President cannot handle being challenged by strong women. His stated belief is ‘Women, you have to treat them like [crap].’”
The response to Kate Bennett’s post is a prime example of how the current administration reacts when the truth is written or spoken about it. The President cannot handle bring challenged by strong women. His stated belief is “Women, you have to treat them like shit.”
— Peggy Fishet (@pfisher217) November 28, 2025
After all of this, a major correction surfaced. The White House’s claim that Bennett was fired from CNN was false.
Bennett explained her exit in January 2023 on Instagram. She wrote:
“As many of you know, I quit my gig at CNN at the end of this last contract. A very difficult decision, but one that came with several months of thought, exploration and a feeling in my gut that it is time to try something new.”
View this post on Instagram
She now works as the vice president of brand strategy and external affairs at Invariant.
This debate around Bennett is not new. Her reporting on Melania’s 2019 book and earlier stories placed her on Trump’s long enemies list. She also became indirectly connected to Melania’s 2017 litigation against the Daily Mail, where the first lady won a multimillion-dollar settlement over false claims.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
