Trump’s Escalating Attacks on Female Journalists Draw Renewed Scrutiny

President Donald Trump’s long-standing confrontations with the press have intensified in recent weeks, with a noticeable pattern emerging in which much of his public criticism has been directed at female reporters. While the White House insists that these remarks have “nothing to do with gender,” the latest series of incidents has reignited national debate over the tone of presidential rhetoric, press freedom, and the treatment of journalists.

Public attacks on reporters from the Oval Office would once have been considered extraordinary. In earlier eras, it would have been unthinkable for a sitting U.S. president to publicly call a journalist “ugly” or to label an elected official “retarded.” What once would have triggered a major political scandal has increasingly become part of the daily political landscape.

In November, one of the most widely shared encounters occurred when Trump sharply rebuked a Bloomberg White House correspondent during a press exchange. When she asked about the Epstein files, a topic the president appeared unwilling to discuss, he cut her off with the remark, “Quiet, piggy.” The comment sparked widespread backlash across political and media circles.

The confrontation marked the beginning of a series of hostile interactions with female reporters. Days later, Trump targeted a journalist from CNN, describing her as “nasty” and “stupid.” These comments were delivered during a public exchange in which the reporter sought clarification on matters of public policy.

The tone did not soften over the Thanksgiving holiday. In a sequence of posts shared on Truth Social, Trump lashed out at political opponents and public figures. During the same period, he used an ableist slur to describe Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. He also directed an Islamophobic remark at Rep. Ilhan Omar, writing that she was “the worst ‘Congressman/woman’ in our Country… always wrapped in her swaddling hijab.”

Shortly afterward, another exchange with a female journalist drew attention when she questioned Trump about a suspect connected to an attack on National Guard members in Washington, D.C. The president responded sharply, asking, “Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?”

CNN’s chief White House correspondent, Kaitlan Collins, soon became another target. During a press conference, Collins pressed Trump about renovations underway at the White House, including a new ballroom project that the president has said is privately funded. Hours after the exchange, Trump turned to social media, misspelled her name, and wrote: “Caitlin Collin’s of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty…”

He also defended the ballroom project in the same post, stating that it was “under budget and ahead of schedule,” “much bigger and more beautiful than originally planned,” and “fully paid for by private donations.” He ended the message with another attack on “FAKE NEWS CNN.”

CNN issued a formal response to the remarks, stating: “Kaitlan Collins is an exceptional journalist… audiences around the world know they can trust.” Collins herself offered a quiet rebuttal through social media, posting: “Technically my question was about Venezuela.”

Her comment referred to a deadly bombing off the Venezuelan coast that resulted in more than 80 deaths. The attack drew international condemnation following reports of a possible “double tap,” a military tactic that is considered a war crime under international law. U.S. defense officials have denied any wrongdoing related to the incident, stating: “Our current operations… are lawful under both US and international law.”

Alongside the confrontations with reporters, questions have also resurfaced about Trump’s personal stamina as president. After a major national newspaper reported that he was showing “signs of fatigue” and facing the “realities of aging in office,” Trump responded with another forceful online post.

“The Creeps at the Failing New York Times are at it again… I have never worked so hard in my life,” he wrote. He added that while “there will be a day where my energy will run out,” recent medical tests show “that won’t be anytime soon.”

The newspaper publicly stood by its reporting. A spokesperson stated, “Name-calling and personal insults don’t change that. Our journalists will not hesitate to cover this administration.”

Despite the growing attention on the president’s language toward female reporters, the White House continues to reject any suggestion that gender plays a role in his remarks. “President Trump has never been politically correct, never holds back, and in large part, the American people re-elected him for his transparency,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said. “This has nothing to do with gender – it has everything to do with the fact that the President’s and the public’s trust in the media is at all time lows.”

Trump’s confrontational relationship with the press has been a defining feature of his political career, both before and after his return to office. His repeated attacks on journalists have raised concerns among press freedom advocates, who warn that such rhetoric can undermine public trust in independent reporting and increase hostility toward media workers.

At the same time, supporters of the president argue that his unfiltered style is precisely what resonates with a segment of the electorate that believes traditional media institutions no longer fairly represent their views. This divide continues to shape the broader national conversation about political discourse, accountability, and the role of journalism in democratic society.

As Trump continues his presidency amid intense media scrutiny, the pattern of public clashes with reporters—particularly women—shows no sign of slowing. The coming months are likely to bring further confrontations as the administration advances its agenda and journalists press for transparency on domestic and international issues.