Donald Trump is facing a wave of criticism after calling a female Bloomberg News reporter “piggy” during a tense exchange aboard Air Force One on Friday — a remark that went largely unnoticed at first but exploded online on Tuesday.
The incident unfolded when Catherine Lucey, Bloomberg’s White House correspondent, used a press gaggle to question Trump about the escalating Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the growing likelihood that the House would vote to release all related case files.
As Lucey began asking why he was reacting so defensively “if there’s nothing incriminating in the files,” Trump cut her off sharply. Pointing at her, he said: “Quiet. Quiet, piggy.”
CBS News reporter Jennifer Jacobs first revealed that Trump had used the insult, though she didn’t initially name Lucey.
The backlash was swift.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper called the remark “disgusting and completely unacceptable,” while former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson labeled it “disgusting and degrading.”
When approached for comment, Lucey directed questions to Bloomberg. The outlet responded with a firm statement:
“Our White House journalists perform a vital public service, asking questions without fear or favor. We remain focused on reporting issues of public interest fairly and accurately.”
The White House Correspondents’ Association, which has previously defended journalists targeted by Trump, did not comment.
A Familiar Pattern
This isn’t the first time Trump has used similar language. Former Miss Universe Alicia Machado has long said that Trump called her “Miss Piggy” in 1996, when he owned the pageant. And in 2018, a Trump administration official referred to veteran White House reporter April Ryan as “Miss Piggy,” a comment that was later retracted — though Trump himself called Ryan a “loser” that same year.
Speaking to The Guardian, Ryan condemned Trump’s latest attack:
“The president of the United States is supposed to be the moral leader. Instead, he’s acting like some thug on the street,” she said. She also suggested his anger over Lucey’s question hints at deeper concerns about the Epstein files.
Ryan added a pointed warning for Trump:
“Be careful how you call people names when you are in the pig pen yourself getting ready to go up for the slaughter.”
She encouraged Lucey to keep doing her job: “She did the right thing by asking. He wanted to intimidate her, and I pray that she fights on.”
Women’s Media Advocates Speak Out
The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF), which previously urged the White House to respect female journalists, also weighed in.
Elisa Lees Muñoz, the IWMF’s executive director, said Trump’s words were part of a long-standing pattern:
“His appearance-based insults are gendered attacks meant to shut women journalists up.”
She warned that insults from a sitting president often unleash online harassment and can discourage women from asking tough questions.
White House Pushes Back — Without Evidence
When asked about the exchange, a White House official attempted to shift blame onto Lucey, accusing her of behaving “in an inappropriate and unprofessional way” toward colleagues — but provided no evidence to support the claim.
Pressed for specifics, the White House did not respond.
The Viral Clip
The incident resurfaced just days before Trump reversed his stance on releasing the Epstein files.
In the now widely shared video, Trump snaps at the reporter’s Epstein-related questions and says:
“Quiet, piggy.”
The moment has reignited debate over Trump’s treatment of women journalists — and whether the insults are part of a broader strategy to silence uncomfortable questions.
