Trump speaking to reporters on Air Force One (AP file photo)
US president Donald Trump on Wednesday lashed out at a New York Times reporter, calling her “ugly inside and out”. The comment came after the newspaper published a story questioning whether the 80-year-old president was slowing down. Trump’s criticism was directed at Katie Rogers, one of the reporters who wrote the piece. In a Truth Social post, he accused her of being “assigned to write only bad things” about him and called her a “third-rate reporter”.“The writer of the story, Katie Rogers, who is assigned to write only bad things about me, is a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out,” he wrote. The president then wrote about how hard he has worked this year.He further said, “There will be a day when I run low on energy, it happens to everyone, but with a perfect physical exam and a comprehensive cognitive test (‘that was aced’) just recently taken, it certainly is not now.”
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The New York Times had reported that Trump was showing signs of tiredness in recent weeks, noting that he appeared drowsy during an event at the Oval Office earlier this month. The article also mentioned ongoing questions about his health after he confirmed undergoing an MRI in October, which he said was part of a routine physical. The newspaper stood by its reporting. A spokesperson said the story was based on first-hand information and added that personal attacks would not stop its journalists from covering the administration.“Expert and thorough reporters like Katie Rogers exemplify how an independent and free press helps the American people better understand their government and its leaders,” it reads. Trump has repeatedly targeted female reporters with sharp and personal remarks. Less than two weeks ago, he called a Bloomberg correspondent “piggy” on Air Force One. He also recently dismissed an ABC News reporter as a “terrible person” during a tense exchange over questions on Jamal Khashoggi and the Epstein files.
Over the years, Trump has often directed his harshest language at women in the press, using terms like “nasty” and referring to menstruation to brush aside tough questions.
