'Quiet, piggy': Trump berates female reporter in sing-song voice
What's the story
US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after calling a female reporter "quiet, piggy" on Air Force One. The incident unfolded when Bloomberg's White House correspondent, Catherine Lucey, asked Trump about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the potential of the House voting to release all of the files relating to his case. "If there's nothing incriminating in the files, sir, why not...," Lucy asked when Trump snapped back. "Quiet! Quiet, piggy," he said in a sing-song voice.
Public reaction
Trump's remark sparks online debate
Before making the controversial remark, Trump had told the reporter about his "very bad relationship" with Jeffrey Epstein. In the clip, an off-camera reporter questions Trump about what Epstein meant when he stated in an email that Trump "knew about the girls." "I know nothing about it," he replied, before mentioning Epstein's connections to Bill Clinton and Larry Summers. "Jeffrey Epstein and I had a very bad relationship for many years," he said.
Reaction
Users react
The exchange has since gone viral, dividing opinions online. One user on social media platform X wrote, "This is the president of the United States who himself is overweight calling another person piggy." Another user added, "Just imagine ANY OTHER President saying that to a female journalist in a gaggle." "Disgusting and completely unacceptable," CNN anchor Jake Tapper wrote on X. Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson also called the remark "disgusting and degrading."
Legislative action
Epstein files release bill heads to Trump's desk
Meanwhile, Congress has approved a bill ordering the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The House of Representatives passed the measure with a 427-1 vote and the Senate fast-tracked it without a formal vote. The moves come just days after Trump reversed his position and urged Congress to vote to disclose the records following public pushback from his supporters.
Case background
Epstein's past and Trump's denial of wrongdoing
Epstein, a financier, was found dead in his New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. He had been convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. Although Trump and Epstein socialized in similar circles, President Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein's crimes. He has always maintained that he ended the relationship with Epstein before the scandal surfaced.
Official statement
White House defends Trump amid controversy
The White House has denied any wrongdoing by Trump in relation to Epstein. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the emails were "selectively leaked" by House Democrats to "liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump." Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser who died in April, also said she never saw Trump participate in any abuse.