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Former President Trump’s “Piggy” Remark to Reporter Sparks Controversy
During a press gaggle aboard Air Force One last week, former President Donald Trump called a Bloomberg reporter “piggy” after she questioned him about the recently released Jeffrey Epstein documents, according to multiple sources who witnessed the exchange.
The incident occurred on November 14, 2025, as Trump was responding to questions about more than 20,000 documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The documents reportedly contain emails to and from Epstein’s account that discuss Trump, who had a years-long relationship with the late financier.
Video footage of the exchange, available on the White House YouTube channel, clearly captures the moment. After fielding a question about what Epstein meant in emails referencing Trump, the former president responded defensively, saying he “knew nothing about that” and deflecting attention to others in Epstein’s orbit, including former President Bill Clinton and former Harvard President Larry Summers.
When Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey attempted a follow-up question about why Trump seemed concerned about the files if they contained nothing incriminating, Trump pointed at her and said, “Quiet, quiet, piggy!” before moving on to another topic.
CBS News reporter Jennifer Jacob confirmed the exchange on social media, noting that the comment was directed at a Bloomberg journalist. The Guardian later identified Lucey as the target of Trump’s remark. Lucey has not yet responded to requests for comment about the incident.
A White House official did not deny the comment when contacted by fact-checkers. Instead, the official claimed, “This reporter behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way towards her colleagues on the plane. If you’re going to give it, you have to be able to take it.” The official provided no evidence to support the allegation of unprofessional behavior by Lucey.
The remark comes amid heightened scrutiny of Trump’s past connections to Epstein. House lawmakers had been waiting for a vote on legislation that would compel the Department of Justice to release additional documents related to Epstein, prompting widespread speculation about what information might emerge regarding Trump’s relationship with the disgraced financier.
Two days after the incident, Trump addressed the Epstein files controversy on his Truth Social platform, writing that “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide.” He characterized the focus on the documents as a “Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics” meant to distract from Republican successes.
The former president has faced numerous questions about his relationship with Epstein over the years. Previous reports have highlighted an email in which Epstein referred to Trump as the “dog that hasn’t barked” and claimed that Trump spent hours with a sex-trafficking victim at Epstein’s home.
This latest incident adds to a pattern of contentious interactions between Trump and the press. Throughout his presidency and post-presidential period, Trump has frequently attacked journalists with personal insults, particularly women reporters who ask challenging questions.
The White House has not indicated whether the president plans to address the “piggy” comment further or issue an apology to Lucey.
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16 Comments
While the details are still emerging, the reported remarks are concerning and warrant further investigation. The public deserves transparency and accountability from its leaders.
That’s a fair assessment. Thorough and impartial investigation is crucial to ensure the public has a clear understanding of what occurred.
This incident highlights the need for more respectful and constructive dialogue between politicians and the press. Resorting to personal insults erodes public trust and undermines the democratic process.
I concur. Robust but civil discourse is essential for a healthy democracy. Elected officials should be held to high standards of conduct.
The reported remarks are troubling and underscore the need for greater accountability and ethical conduct among our political leaders. The public deserves better.
I agree. Upholding high standards of behavior should be a top priority for those in positions of power and public trust.
This incident is a reminder of the importance of civility and respect in political discourse. Elected officials should strive to uphold the dignity of their office, even when facing challenging questions.
Well said. Maintaining professionalism and composure, even in tense situations, is a hallmark of effective leadership.
Regardless of one’s political affiliation, the use of derogatory language towards a journalist is unacceptable. The public deserves leaders who can engage with the media in a professional manner.
Well said. Maintaining composure and civility, even when faced with tough questions, is a sign of true leadership.
This is a concerning incident, if true. Trump’s use of such language towards a reporter is unprofessional and unbecoming of a former president. The public deserves leaders who engage with the press respectfully, even on difficult topics.
I agree, the reported remarks are disappointing and concerning. As public figures, elected officials should model civil discourse, even when faced with tough questions.
This incident raises questions about Trump’s temperament and his ability to handle criticism from the press. As a former president, he should set a higher standard of conduct.
I agree. Responding to criticism with personal attacks undermines public confidence in our political institutions.
While the details are still emerging, it’s important that we maintain objectivity and avoid rushing to judgment. The media and public should carefully review the available evidence before drawing conclusions.
That’s a fair point. Keeping an open mind and letting the facts speak for themselves is the best approach here.