During a White House roundtable on farm aid on Monday, President Donald Trump sharply criticized ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott after she repeatedly pressed him on whether he would release full video of recent Venezuelan strikes. He called her “the most obnoxious reporter in the whole place” and accused her of always asking adversarial questions.
After Scott’s questions, Trump responded, “Let me just tell you, you are an obnoxious—a terrible, actually a terrible reporter. And it’s always the same thing with you. I told you, whatever Pete Hegseth wants to do is OK with me.”
In May, Trump had already taken aim at Scott when she asked about his administration’s acceptance of a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar’s royal family.
“You’re ABC fake news, right?” Trump said at the time. “Only ABC—well, a few of you would—let me tell you, you should be embarrassed asking that question. They’re giving us a free jet. I could say, ‘No, no, no, don’t give us. I want to pay you a billion, or $400 million,’ or whatever it is. Or I could say thank you very much.”
Why It Matters
In recent weeks, Trump has drawn renewed attention for a series of derisive remarks aimed at female journalists. He told one, “quiet, piggy,” asked another, “are you a stupid person?” and described yet another as “ugly, both inside and out” in a Truth Social post.
His treatment of the press—especially women in the media—has been criticized for years, but the pace and intensity of his latest comments have reignited concerns about the impact of these attacks on journalists and on press freedom more broadly.
What To Know
Trump also targeted Scott last year at an appearance before the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Scott asked him why some people felt it was not “appropriate” for him to attend the convention and referenced past statements he has made about Black leaders.
“Why should Black voters trust you after you have used language like that?” Scott asked.
Trump replied, “Well, first of all, I don’t think I’ve ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner.”
He then asked, “Are you with ABC? Because I think they’re a fake news network, a terrible network.”
At Monday’s roundtable, where Trump announced a $12 billion farm aid package, he again turned his ire on Scott. The event included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, lawmakers and farmers who raise cattle and grow corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, rice, wheat and potatoes.
Trump said the aid would be funded through tariff revenue. Rollins explained that $11 billion would be released immediately, with another $1 billion set aside for specialty crops.
What People Are Saying
Rachel Scott, on X:
“I asked President Trump if he would release the full video from the second strike on Sept 2nd. Just days ago the president said he would have ‘no problem’ doing that. But now, he denies saying that. And is not committing to releasing it.”
President Donald Trump, responding to Scott at Monday’s roundtable:
“You said that, I didn’t say that. This is ABC fake news.”
