Following an incident where Donald Trump referred to a reporter as ‘ugly, both inside and out,’ the White House has defended the president’s actions with an explanation.
The president has recently faced criticism for his remarks towards female journalists, including calling one a ‘piggy’ and now ‘ugly’. This behavior has sparked considerable backlash online.
Just a short time after Trump was mocked for seemingly closing his eyes and dozing off during a presentation in the Oval Office, a major news outlet highlighted it in their coverage, a move that apparently didn’t sit well with him.
This situation escalated when Katie Rogers, a journalist from The New York Times, authored an article released on Tuesday (November 25). The piece detailed instances where she felt Trump appeared to be showing signs of aging and seemed visibly ‘fatigued’.
In her report, Rogers noted occasions where Trump was seen with what seemed to be a bruise on his hand, raising concerns about his health, as well as moments where he appeared to be taking a ‘nap’.
The most recent incident occurred earlier this month, when Trump, who claims he is ‘not-a-sleeper’, was listening to former TV host turned Medicare services head, Dr Oz, discuss plans to reduce the cost of weight loss drugs for Americans.
Some observers thought the president appeared to be dozing off during the discussion, which the White House firmly denied.
The New York Times article, co-authored with journalist Dylan Freedman, prompted a harsh response from Trump on Truth Social.
“The writer of the story, Katie Rogers, who is assigned to write only bad things about me, is a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out,” Trump posted online.
“The Creeps at the Failing New York Times are at it again,” he continued, suggesting they published a ‘hit piece’ on him.
Trump’s latest social media outburst left many surprised, but his administration offered a statement to clarify his choice of words.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told People: “President Trump has never been politically correct, never holds back, and in large part, the American people re-elected him for his transparency.”
“This has nothing to do with gender,” Jackson insisted. “It has everything to do with the fact that the President’s and the public’s trust in the media is at an all-time low.”
The New York Times responded to Trump’s remarks about Rogers with Charlie Stadtlander, the executive director of media relations and communications for the outlet, saying: “The Times’s reporting is accurate and built on first-hand reporting of the facts. Name-calling and personal insults don’t change that, nor will our journalists hesitate to cover this administration in the face of intimidation tactics like this.
“Expert and thorough reporters like Katie Rogers exemplify how an independent and free press helps the American people better understand their government and its leaders.”
UNILAD reached out to the White House for additional comments.