Last week, President Donald Trump sparked controversy after calling a Bloomberg News reporter “piggy” during a tense exchange in which she questioned him about emails related to Jeffrey Epstein. The comment drew immediate backlash from media professionals and watchdog groups, who condemned the remark as disrespectful and unacceptable, particularly targeting a female journalist.
Amid growing scrutiny, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the incident for the first time. Speaking at a West Wing briefing, Leavitt characterized the president’s remarks as a reflection of his “frankness” and “openness,” emphasizing his style of communication as being candid and direct rather than evasive. She asserted that Trump’s bluntness has been a key reason for his re-election and a distinctive contrast to previous administrations’ approach to the press.
Leavitt explained, “The president is very frank and honest with everyone in this room. You’ve seen it yourself. You’ve all experienced it yourselves. And I think it’s one of the many reasons that the American people re-elected this president, because of his frankness. And he calls out fake news when he sees it.” She further added that Trump’s practice of confronting reporters openly rather than “hiding behind your backs” was, in her view, a more respectful posture than that of former President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who has maintained less frequent press engagements.
The White House’s defense comes amid intensified tensions between Trump and the media, highlighted by other recent confrontations, including an incident where the president criticized an ABC News correspondent after she questioned Saudi Arabia’s crown prince about a high-profile journalist killing.
Bloomberg News responded by reaffirming the vital role its White House reporters play and their commitment to fair and accurate reporting on matters of public interest.
Karoline Leavitt’s remarks have stirred debate over the boundaries of presidential rhetoric and the evolving relationship between the Trump administration and the press corps. As the conversation continues, observers remain divided on whether the president’s unfiltered style serves transparency or undermines the decorum expected of the nation’s highest office.
