Trump Confronts ABC Reporter
President Donald Trump sharply rebuked an ABC News reporter on Monday during a public exchange that centered on his earlier comments about releasing footage from a military strike near the coast of Venezuela. The incident marked the latest in a series of recent confrontations between the president and members of the press, particularly female journalists.
Over the past several weeks, Trump has engaged in multiple verbal clashes with reporters. During one encounter aboard Air Force One, he directed remarks at Bloomberg journalist Catherine LaCey, calling her “piggy,” and later referred to her as a “terrible reporter.” Days afterward, he aimed similar criticism at CNN journalist Caitlin Collins, calling her “nasty” and “stupid.” Each of these moments added to a growing pattern of public disputes between the president and members of the media.
The most recent confrontation occurred when ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott questioned Trump about his previous statement that he had “no problem“ releasing footage related to a military strike carried out on September 2. The strike targeted an alleged drug trafficking boat off the coast of Venezuela. Two people reportedly survived the initial strike. It was later alleged that a second strike was ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, which resulted in the deaths of the survivors.
Scott asked whether Trump would follow through on his earlier statement and release the full footage from the operation. The question immediately triggered a heated response from the president.
“I didn’t say that. You said that, I didn’t say that,” Trump replied, disputing the premise of her question. He then escalated his remarks by calling Scott “the most obnoxious reporter in the whole place.”
He continued with further criticism, saying, “Let me just tell you, you are an obnoxious – a terrible, actually a terrible reporter. And it’s always the same thing with you. I told you, whatever Pete Hegseth wants to do is OK with me.”
The exchange unfolded in front of other journalists and officials. Despite the tense interaction, Scott continued to press for clarity on whether the footage would, in fact, be released to the public.
Trump shifted from addressing the question of the video to boasting about the outcome of the strike itself. He claimed the boat was “shot out of the water” and asserted that the operation had saved 25,000 American lives by preventing drug deaths and overdoses. No additional details or independent verification regarding that figure were provided during the exchange.
Scott again attempted to obtain a direct answer about the footage, referencing Trump’s earlier remarks on the issue. The president responded with visible irritation.
“Didn’t I just tell you that? You’re the most obnoxious reporter in the whole place,” Trump said, repeating the same phrase he had used moments earlier.
The question about the video stems from comments Trump made the previous week at the Reagan National Defense Forum, where he addressed the possibility of releasing the footage from the September 2 strike. At that time, he stated, “We’re reviewing that right now,” signaling that a decision had not yet been finalized.
The September 2 incident itself has drawn attention due to the reported sequence of events. After the alleged drug trafficking vessel was struck, two individuals were said to have survived the initial attack. The subsequent claim that a second strike was ordered, resulting in their deaths, introduced additional scrutiny around the operation and the decision-making process involved. The proposed release of video footage has been viewed as a way to clarify what occurred during both phases of the strike.
Trump’s reaction to Scott followed a familiar pattern seen in recent exchanges with reporters. In several instances, he has moved quickly from rejecting a question’s premise to personally criticizing the journalist asking it. The president’s language toward Scott mirrored the tone he used in earlier confrontations this month.
Despite the repeated criticisms, no other journalists present intervened during the exchange. The interaction proceeded without interruption, and the president moved on to other topics after the confrontation concluded.
The latest incident adds to a broader history of tense relations between Trump and the press, especially during public appearances where policy issues intersect with controversial actions. The issue of releasing military footage involving active operations or classified material is traditionally sensitive, often involving reviews for national security concerns. Trump’s initial willingness to consider public release, followed by his rejection of the question on Monday, underscored the uncertainty surrounding the administration’s final position on the matter.
As of the end of the exchange, no commitment was made to release the full footage from the September 2 strike. The only indication of progress remains Trump’s earlier statement that the matter was under review. The confrontation with Scott concluded without further clarification on when—or if—the video will be made public.
The episode stands as the most recent example in a month marked by multiple verbal disputes between the president and journalists, reinforcing the ongoing tension that continues to characterize Trump’s interactions with the media.