The White House has publicly defended President Donald Trump's controversial insult directed at a Bloomberg News reporter during an encounter aboard Air Force One. The incident, which occurred last Friday, saw the president telling journalist Catherine Lucey to "Quiet! Quiet, piggy" when she pressed him about the Jeffrey Epstein files.
White House Justifies Presidential Behavior
In an official statement released Tuesday, the White House stood by the president's remarks, claiming the reporter had behaved inappropriately toward her colleagues. "This reporter behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way toward her colleagues on the plane," an administration official stated. The response included what appeared to be a justification for the personal attack: "If you're going to give it, you have to be able to take."
The verbal confrontation took place during a mid-flight gathering with reporters when Lucey asked Trump: "If there's nothing incriminating in the files, sir, why not—" before being interrupted by the president's sharp response and pointed finger.
Muted Reactions and Professional Consequences
Although the incident wasn't initially included in the official press pool report, it gained significant attention this week as it circulated online. The episode drew criticism from many observers, yet reports indicate that the White House press corps has shown a muted reaction, apparently concerned about maintaining access to the administration.
Bloomberg News issued a statement supporting their journalist with subtle defiance. "Our White House journalists perform a vital public service, asking questions without fear or favor," a spokesperson for the news organization stated. "We remain focused on reporting issues of public interest fairly and accurately."
Pattern of Personal Insults Against Women
While President Trump has frequently belittled reporters throughout his presidency, this particular instance of intensely personal name-calling has struck a nerve. The Daily Beast noted that pig-related insults have been a recurring theme in Trump's demeaning comments toward women.
This pattern includes multiple documented instances:
- In 2017, New York Times columnist Gail Collins recalled Trump telling her she had "the face of a pig"
- During the 2016 campaign, former Miss Universe Alicia Machado revealed Trump called her "Miss Piggy" when he owned the pageant
- Trump has repeatedly called television personality Rosie O'Donnell a "pig" in public comments
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the press corps, raising questions about professional boundaries and presidential conduct when facing tough questioning from journalists.
