Trump's Terms

Trump lashes out at reporter, highlighting a pattern of attacking press he dislikes

5 snips
Nov 20, 2025
David Folkenflik, NPR media correspondent, dives into President Trump's contentious relationship with the press. He discusses Trump's tendency to insult journalists when faced with uncomfortable questions, illustrated by recent incidents, like belittling a Bloomberg reporter. Folkenflik highlights past confrontations and how Trump increasingly favors sympathetic media. The conversation raises questions about the worth of challenging Trump, especially as corporate pressures shape media responses to his attacks.
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ANECDOTE

Public Insults During Press Exchanges

  • David Folkenflik recounts Trump calling Bloomberg's Catherine Lucey 'quiet, quiet piggy' after an Epstein-files question.
  • He also describes Trump calling ABC's Mary Bruce 'a terrible reporter' during a White House exchange.
INSIGHT

Insults As A Silencing Strategy

  • Folkenflik frames these attacks as attempts to silence reporters rather than comedic insults.
  • He connects this pattern to Trump's broader effort to intimidate and delegitimize critical media.
ANECDOTE

Pattern Of Personal Attacks

  • Folkenflik reminds listeners of past specific slurs: the Megyn Kelly 'blood' remark and mocking a New York Times reporter's congenital condition.
  • He also notes racial and ethnic jabs, like calling a black reporter racist and telling a Chinese-American reporter to 'go ask China.'
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