President Donald Trump lashed out at a reporter Friday after she asked whether his recent White House ban was an effort to “intimidate the press.”
Ahead of his Friday afternoon press conference in the Oval Office, the president sent out a Truth Social post announcing that CNN, MS NOW and Politico had been banned from the White House. Trump accused the outlets of writing “fiction and lies” while covering his administration. He vowed that others will be given the same treatment soon.
When the press conference was opened up to questions, multiple reporters asked about the ban. Trump stood firm on his decision and accused the three outlets of biased reporting.
Moments later, Bloomberg correspondent Catherine Lucey bluntly asked the president whether the move was a tactic to intimidate the press.
“So the freedom of the press is enshrined in the First Amendment,” Lucey said. “Are you trying to intimidate the press from doing their job?”
Trump denied the suggestion and aggressively went after Lucey.
“No, no, no, I dislike dishonest press like you,” Trump said. “I think you’re terrible, but I dislike dishonest– I like to see honest press.”
It was not the first time the president has lashed out at Lucey specifically. Aboard Air Force One in November, Lucey tried to ask Trump questions about his connection to Jeffrey Epstein. Clearly irritated, Trump cut her off and said, “Quiet, piggy!”
That exchange sparked a wave of backlash, with members of the press quickly coming to Lucey’s defense. The White House, on the other hand, saw no problem with the president’s insult.
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