WASHINGTON D.C. – President Donald Trump launched a fierce attack on ABC News and its correspondent Mary Bruce on Tuesday, labeling her a “terrible reporter” and threatening the network’s broadcast license after she posed pointed questions during an Oval Office session with the Saudi Crown Prince.
Confrontation in the Oval Office
The incident occurred as reporters were allowed to question President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. ABC’s chief White House correspondent, Mary Bruce, asked the president about the appropriateness of his family conducting business in Saudi Arabia while he is in office.
Before Trump could fully answer, she directed a sharp question to the Saudi leader: “Your Royal Highness, the US intelligence concluded that you orchestrated the brutal murder of a journalist. 9/11 families are furious that you are here in the Oval Office. Why should Americans trust you? And the same to you, Mr. President.”
Trump’s Dismissal and Defense
After confirming Bruce’s employer, Trump immediately dismissed ABC as “fake news” and defended his family’s business dealings. He also rejected the U.S. intelligence assessment that Crown Prince Mohammed was culpable in the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, stating that “a lot of people did not like” the Saudi critic.
For his part, the Crown Prince addressed the issue by calling Khashoggi’s death a painful event and “a huge mistake.”
Escalation and FCC Threat
Trump later criticized Bruce’s line of questioning as “horrible, insubordinate and just a terrible question.” The confrontation escalated when she followed up with a third question, asking why the White House was waiting for Congress to act before releasing more details about sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s correspondence.
“It’s not the question that I mind,” Trump said. “It’s your attitude. I think you are a terrible reporter. It’s the way you ask these questions.”
He then returned to his criticism of the network, suggesting regulatory action. “I think the licence should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and it’s so wrong,” he stated, referring to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.
Network Responses
ABC News declined to comment on the president’s statements on Tuesday.
In a related matter, Bloomberg News issued a statement responding to Trump referring to one of its reporters, Catherine Lucey, as “piggy” during a question-and-answer session last Friday. The news organization defended its journalists, stating, “Our White House journalists perform a vital public service, asking questions without fear or favour. We remain focused on reporting issues of public interest fairly and accurately.”
