'Quiet Piggy': White House Defends Trump's Sexist Insults To Women Reporters

US President Donald Trump has once again triggered criticism after referring to a female reporter as “piggy” during a tense exchange over the Jeffrey Epstein files. The remark, made aboard Air Force One on November 14, only came to attention four days later, after fellow journalists circulated the clip and condemned the language.

The White House defended the President's remarks, saying the reporter had behaved “in an inappropriate and unprofessional way towards her colleagues”. Speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the unnamed White House official said, “…If you're going to give it, you have to be able to take."

The report also stated that the White House released a fact sheet containing examples over the last eight years of what it described as “a deliberate deception to wage war” on Trump, as well as the “millions of Americans who elected him to multiple terms."

What was the incident? 

During a question-and-answer session with reporters, Catherine Lucey, Bloomberg’s White House correspondent, asked Trump about the ongoing controversy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

She specifically questioned him about the possibility of the House voting to release the full set of Epstein files, documents that have long been the subject of public and political scrutiny.

According to reports, Lucey’s follow-up question touched a nerve. After Trump appeared evasive, she pressed further, asking why he was behaving the way he was “if there’s nothing incriminating in the files.” It was at this moment that Trump abruptly cut her off, pointed at her, and said sharply: “Quiet. Quiet, piggy.”

The remark spread quickly after journalists highlighted it, drawing immediate backlash for its sexist and demeaning tone.

Bloomberg News responded with a formal comment defending Lucey, stating: “Our White House journalists perform a vital public service, asking questions without fear or favour.” The organisation added that it remains committed to “reporting issues of public interest fairly and accurately.”

Another clash: ABC’s Mary Bruce

The “piggy” comment was not the only moment this week that brought Trump’s behaviour with the press under scrutiny. Just a day before the remark gained attention, Trump publicly attacked Mary Bruce, the chief White House correspondent for ABC News.

During a press availability on Tuesday, Bruce asked Trump a series of questions regarding his family's business operations in Saudi Arabia, the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and the ongoing debate around the Epstein files. Her questions appeared to frustrate Trump, who interrupted the exchange to ask her who she worked for.

Upon learning she was from ABC, he immediately responded by calling the network “fake news,” and then turned on Bruce personally. Trump denounced her as a “terrible reporter” and even suggested that ABC could face consequences, threatening the network’s license to broadcast.

He further criticised Bruce for what he described as a disrespectful question to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, calling it a “horrible, insubordinate and just a terrible question.”

When Bruce pressed him further on the Epstein files, Trump said, “It's not the question that I mind, it's your attitude. I think you are a terrible reporter. It's the way you ask these questions.”

Trump’s long history of similar remarks

This is not the first time Trump has used the term “Miss Piggy” or related insults to demean women. His use of the term dates back years and has repeatedly resurfaced during his political career.

One of the most infamous cases was his treatment of Alicia Machado, winner of the 1996 Miss Universe pageant. Trump referred to Machado as “Miss Piggy” and publicly told her to lose weight after she gained a few pounds following her win. The comment later became a major point of discussion during the 2016 US presidential elections.

Similarly, in 2018, April Ryan, a longtime White House correspondent, was also targeted through the same insult. Although it was Trump administration official Lynne Patton who referred to Ryan as “Miss Piggy,” she later apologised for the remark. Trump himself escalated tensions that same year by calling Ryan a “loser” who “doesn’t know what the hell she’s doing.”

Concerns over press freedom

The back-to-back incidents have raised renewed concerns over Trump’s treatment of journalists, especially women, and his tendency to use personal insults rather than address substantive questions. Critics argue that such behaviour not only disrespects individual reporters but also undermines democratic norms and weakens the role of the free press.

Media organisations and press rights advocates have pointed out that asking difficult or uncomfortable questions is an essential part of journalism, particularly when it concerns matters as serious as potential government misconduct, foreign influence, and accountability regarding Epstein’s alleged network.

As the controversy continues to unfold, journalists across major networks have expressed solidarity with Lucey and Bruce, calling for greater respect for the press and stronger safeguards for reporters covering the White House.