Once again, former President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm of controversy with his latest personal attack on a female journalist, this time targeting her appearance. But here’s where it gets even more troubling: this marks the third such incident in recent weeks, raising serious questions about a pattern of behavior. In a Truth Social post, Trump lashed out at The New York Times reporter Katie Rogers, calling her “a third-rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out.” This came just a day after Rogers co-authored an article highlighting signs of Trump’s aging while in office—a piece he vehemently denied, claiming, “They know this is wrong.”
Trump’s post didn’t stop there. He dismissed The New York Times as a “cheap ‘rag’” and labeled it “an enemy of the people,” while notably ignoring Rogers’ male co-author. The New York Times swiftly defended Rogers, stating, “The Times’ reporting is accurate and built on first-hand accounts. Personal insults and name-calling won’t change that, nor will our journalists back down in the face of such intimidation.” The paper praised Rogers as an “expert and thorough reporter” who exemplifies the role of a free press in holding leaders accountable.
And this is the part most people miss: Trump’s recent attacks on female journalists aren’t isolated incidents. Just over a week ago, he criticized ABC News reporter Mary Bruce in the Oval Office, calling her a “terrible reporter” and a “terrible person” after she questioned him about the Jeffrey Epstein files during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Earlier in that same meeting, Bruce had pressed Trump and the crown prince about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which U.S. intelligence linked to the prince in 2021. Trump brushed off the question, saying, “He knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that.” He then scolded Bruce, accusing her of embarrassing their guest.
Days before that, Trump responded to a question about Epstein from Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey with a dismissive, “Quiet, piggy.” When asked about this comment, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s “frank and open” style, claiming voters appreciate his honesty. “The president calls out fake news when he sees it,” she said, adding, “He gets frustrated with reporters who lie about him or spread misinformation.”
But here’s the controversial question: Is this really about honesty, or does it reveal a deeper issue? Critics argue that Trump’s repeated attacks on female journalists—often focusing on their appearance or demeanor—smack of sexism. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson countered that Trump’s comments are not gender-related, insisting, “This has everything to do with the public’s trust in the media being at an all-time low.”
While it’s true Trump has also criticized male journalists and politicians—like Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, whom he called “a low-IQ person” and “a fat slob”—the frequency and tone of his attacks on women stand out. In September, he targeted late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, calling him “a man with no talent” and a “bum,” after Kimmel was suspended for comments about Charlie Kirk. Yet, these critiques rarely delve into personal appearance or demeanor in the same way.
What do you think? Are Trump’s comments a matter of straightforward criticism, or do they cross a line into sexism and intimidation? Let us know in the comments below. One thing is clear: as the media landscape grows more polarized, the tension between public figures and journalists shows no signs of easing. And with Trump’s history of contentious relationships with the press, this latest chapter is unlikely to be the last.
