Not is not the first time that the boundary between political conflict and personal offense has been crossed, but the latest episode featuring Donald Trump marks a new level of tension in his relationship with the press and, above all, with women. The scene of the clash is Air Force One. The object of the dispute, one of the thorniest issues for the administration: documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump insults the journalist: what happened on Air Force One
It all happened last Friday, during the return to Washington. In an already heavy climate, described as the pinnacle of days of tense exchangesthe journalist of Bloomberg Catherine Lucey tried to press the president by asking why he didn’t want to make the documents on the Epstein case public.
Trump’s reaction was immediate and fiercely personal. In the video released by the White House, the President turns towards the reporter and, pointing his finger at her, orders her: “Silence, silence, little slut!”. An epithet, that «piggy»which goes beyond refusing to answer. The use of the term of endearment/diminutive amplifies the belittling and childish toneturning a legitimate political question into an attack of body shaming.
Once he landed, the tycoon didn’t take any steps back. Indeed, speaking with reporters on the track, he made matters worse by claiming that «Bloomberg should fire her”.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on Air Force One (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
«Piggy»: the story of a recurring insult
The use of Piggy – “pig” or “little pig” – is not accidental in the Trumpian vocabulary when it comes to denigrating the female gender. He uses it to denigrate women, suggesting their unpleasant appearance or annoying behavior.
The precedents are known and they make noise. During the 2016 campaign, former Miss Universe Alicia Machado told how Trump – co-owner of the organization at the time – humiliated her by calling her «Miss Piggy» and threatening to take away her title after she was «fattened». Similarly, he previously described host Rosie O’Donnell as «fat pig» (fat), «slob» (slob) And «animal» (animal).
The reactions from the American media world were harsh. “Disgusting and completely unacceptable”the CNN host commented on X Jake Tapper. Along the same lines, the former Fox News host, Gretchen Carlsonwho defined the commentary “disgusting and degrading”.
Trump’s fury in the Oval Office and Bin Salman’s defense
The tension with the press was not limited to the Air Force One episode. A few hours later, in the Oval Office, Trump lashed out at an ABC journalist who had dared to ask Mohammed bin Salman about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. The president’s invitation was peremptory: you shouldn’t «embarrass our guest». Trump defended the crown prince (“Mbs knew nothing about it and we can end it here”) and attacked the memory of the killed journalist, calling him “extremely controversial”.
But the anger exploded again when the reporter touched the button again Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s response was a frontal attack on the broadcaster and the professional: «They should take away your license, you are a disgusting company». Addressing the woman directly, he added: «You are truly an incompetent reporter, you should learn to do your job. No more questions for you”.
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