Rumors circulating in Washington suggest that the president’s recent clashes with journalists might go beyond spur-of-the-moment outbursts.
Insiders hint that Trump’s escalating hostility—particularly toward female reporters—could be connected to internal disagreements within the administration and disputes over classified footage. Although no official statements have confirmed this, the timing of Monday’s confrontation has fueled speculation.
Trump Targets Another Female Reporter Amid Media Tensions
Donald Trump’s history of aggressive interactions with the press, especially women, has drawn significant attention. Over the past month, he has repeatedly attacked female journalists. On Monday, ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott became his latest target during a routine questioning session.
Scott asked Trump about his earlier remarks suggesting he might release footage from a September 2 strike against a drug-smuggling vessel near Venezuela. Reports indicate that two survivors of the initial strike were later killed in a second attack authorized by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. When Scott pressed Trump on whether he still intended to release the video, he quickly became irate.
“I didn’t say that. You said that, I didn’t say that,” he snapped, labeling Scott “the most obnoxious reporter in the whole place.” He added, “You are an obnoxious—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.”
Trump continued by emphasizing the operation’s impact, claiming it “saved 25,000 American lives from overdoses and drug-related deaths” and repeatedly refused to commit to releasing the footage, despite having suggested last week that he might.
Pattern of Hostility Toward Women in the Press
This incident follows a string of confrontations. Recently, Trump called Bloomberg reporter Catherine LaCey “piggy” and later a “terrible reporter,” while CNN’s Caitlin Collins was branded both “nasty” and “stupid.” Monday’s exchange adds to a growing pattern of personal attacks on female journalists, highlighting the tense relationship between the White House and the media.
Conclusion
Trump’s repeated targeting of women reporters underscores concerns about transparency, accountability, and media freedom. Whether these confrontations are spontaneous reactions or calculated distractions amid sensitive political issues remains unclear, but the growing scrutiny suggests that such clashes are far from isolated incidents.