President Donald Trump appears increasingly frustrated with reporters as the midterm election approaches.
By Wednesday, Trump had flipped out at least five reporters this week.
Trump turned to personal insults Wednesday when CNN’s Kaitlan Collins questioned his decision to waive sweeping new sanctions against Russia.
Collins asked whether the move had anything to do with Russia’s release of American prisoner Stephen Hubbard this week. Trump lashed out as he defended holding off on the sanctions.
“You don’t know anything, I mean, you’re fake news CNN,” he told her.
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Trump, who has repeatedly attacked Collins, continued: “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re a dummy. You’re a low-IQ person. You’re a dummy, and you work for CNN.”
The White House then shared the exchange on X, saying Trump “demolishes Fake News” Collins and adding a laughing emoji.
Soon after, ABC News White House correspondent Karen Travers pressed Trump on the same issue. He responded with another insult.
“Are you a stupid person? Who do you work for?” Trump asked.
“ABC News,” Travers replied.
“You’re a stupid person. And by the way, your network is the worst of all,” he said.
Calling reporters and questions about his policies “fake news” appears to be Trump’s
And he did it again Monday during a press gaggle outside the White House, except this time he lashed out at the wrong reporter. Then sheepishly walked back his vitriolic temper tantrum.
“Mr. President, Emmanuel Macron is blaming the Iran war and you essentially for the rioting in France right now,” Mary Margaret Olohan began, but Trump quickly cut her off, immediately denying it.
“I don’t think he is. No, I think that’s fake news. Who are you with?” Trump demanded.
“No, sir. Mary Margaret with The Daily Wire,” she replied.
The Daily Wire, a far-right outlet co-founded by conservative activist and talk show host Ben Shapiro, is overtly friendly to Trump and his Republican cronies.
“Oh, Daily Wire’s good,” a contrite Trump said, trying to walk back his rudeness toward an ally. He even did something he never does. He apologized.
“Sorry, The Daily Wire’s good,” Trump said, softening his tone with a chuckle, appearing to get a kick out of himself and his usual meanness toward reporters.
Social media was quick to point out Trump’s duplicity.
“That is interesting. He backed off, quickly,” an X user observed.
This commenter noted, “There you go right there. A story is real or fake to our president based on the news outfit.”
Another declared what plenty of Americans are thinking, according to critics.
“This dude is in way over his head.”
Trump started to walk away from reporters before turning back and calling Macron “a friend of mine.” The HuffPost reported he blamed immigration for the riots in France, even though officials have pointed to left-wing movements.
