President Donald Trump engaged in a series of tense moments with reporters during recent media interactions, drawing renewed scrutiny over his tone and comments.
During a Nov. 14 press gaggle aboard Air Force One — while traveling from Washington, D.C., to his Mar-a-Lago resort — Trump was asked about newly surfaced emails tied to Jeffrey Epstein. Lawmakers have continued pressing for the release of all remaining evidence connected to the late financier and convicted sex offender.
On Nov. 12, members of the House Oversight Committee shared what they described as three new emails from Epstein’s estate.
In one exchange with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein referred to Trump as “that dog that hasn’t barked,” writing that a named victim “spent hours at my house with him” yet had “never once been mentioned.” Maxwell reportedly responded, “I have been thinking about that…”
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Another email, this time involving author Michael Wolff, shows Epstein claiming Trump lied about forcing him to resign from a club: “Trump said he asked me to resign, never a member ever.” He then added, “Of course, he knew about the girls,” referencing long-circulating allegations — which Trump has denied — that Epstein and Maxwell scouted potential trafficking victims at Mar-a-Lago.
Speaking with the press about the emails, Trump dismissed the claims:
“I know nothing about that. They would have announced that a long time ago. Jeffrey Epstein and I had a very bad relationship for many years.”
The conversation turned hostile when an off-camera female reporter began to ask if anything in the emails could be considered incriminating. Trump pointed a finger toward her and said, “Quiet. Quiet, Piggy.”
The insult echoes past accusations about Trump’s language toward women, including earlier claims from former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, who has said he mocked her weight with nicknames like “Miss Piggy” and “Miss Housekeeping.”
Two days later, Trump again sparred with a reporter who asked about Tucker Carlson’s interview with far-right figure Nick Fuentes. Trump praised Carlson and touted high viewership from a past interview, but abruptly snapped when the reporter attempted a follow-up:
“Will you let me finish my statement? You are the worst. You’re with Bloomberg, right? You are the worst. I don’t know why they even have you.”
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After returning to the White House later that weekend, another controversy emerged when a photo circulated showing an American flag on the South Lawn appearing to droop near the ground — something prohibited in the U.S. Flag Code.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle responded sharply to criticism, saying the flag never touched the ground and explaining that high winds required it to be temporarily lowered into a protective container during Marine One’s landing.
