US President Donald Trump verbally attacked an ABC journalist after being questioned about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Republicans called senior White House correspondent Mary Bruce a “terrible reporter.” The US President also described the report as “fake” and once again threatened to revoke the broadcaster’s broadcasting license.
Bruce was among the journalists allowed to attend Trump’s reception of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office. The reporter asked Trump whether it would be appropriate for his family to be in business during his presidency Saudi Arabia make.
Before the US President could answer, Bruce directed another question at the Crown Prince: “Your Majesty, US intelligence agencies have concluded that you organized the brutal murder of a journalist.” And further: “Why should the American people trust you? And the same question is asked of you, Mr. President.”
“Terrible, challenging and very bad question”
Trump rejected the findings of US intelligence agencies. “A lot of things happen, but he (Crown Prince Mohammed) doesn’t know about them, and we can just leave it at that,” Trump said. The US President also admitted that many people did not like Khashoggi.
Crown Prince Mohammed Meanwhile, he said Khashoggi’s death was painful and a “big mistake”. Trump later criticized Bruce for asking the prince “terrible, challenging, terrible questions.”
When reporters asked why the White House was waiting for congressional approval before releasing further details about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s correspondence, Trump said: “It’s not the question that bothers me. It’s your attitude.” And further: “That’s how you ask these questions.” ABC News did not immediately comment on Trump’s remarks.
Trump calls reporters “pigs”
The verbal attack on an ABC reporter was not the first by a US president. Just on Friday, Trump had the arrival of Catherine Lucey, a correspondent from Bloomberg at the White House, insulted on Air Force One. Lucey has that republic previously asked why he behaved the way he did if there was nothing incriminating in Epstein’s files. Trump then pointed at him and said: “Shut up. Shut up, you piggy.”
Several journalists on board Air Force One confirmed the incident and criticized the US president’s statement.
