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Did trump call female reporter piggy todsy?
Executive summary
Multiple mainstream outlets report that President Donald Trump told a female reporter “Quiet, quiet, piggy” during an Air Force One gaggle when she pressed him about Jeffrey Epstein files; video of the exchange was released by the White House and published reporting identifies the reporter as a Bloomberg correspondent [1] [2] [3]. Media and commentators across the political spectrum described the remark as demeaning; the White House defended the comment, saying reporters must “be able to take” such language [4] [5].
1. What happened on Air Force One — the basic record
Video of a November 14 gaggle circulated after the White House posted it; in that footage President Trump appears to point and say to an off‑camera female reporter, “Quiet, quiet, piggy,” as she began asking about whether there was incriminating material in Jeffrey Epstein’s emails, and then moves on to another question [1] [2] [3]. Multiple outlets — CNN, Newsweek, The Telegraph and others — reported the same clip and described the exchange as occurring as the president returned to Palm Beach on that day [1] [2] [3].
2. Who the reporter was — what reporting says and what remains uncertain
Several publications identified the journalist as a Bloomberg correspondent; The Telegraph and Newsweek reported the reporter was Catherine Lucey of Bloomberg, while initial reporting credited CBS’s Jennifer Jacobs for first noting that Trump called a Bloomberg reporter “piggy” though she did not initially name the reporter [3] [2] [4]. Some pieces describe the journalist as “off‑camera” at the moment, and coverage notes the reporting community’s interest in protecting off‑camera dynamics, which can sometimes complicate immediate identification [1] [2]. Available sources do not provide a single definitive official statement from Bloomberg within the cited reporting confirming the reporter’s identity beyond those media accounts [3] [2].
3. How news organizations and watchdogs reacted
The remark drew swift criticism across outlets and media groups. The Guardian, Independent and others framed the language as part of a pattern of demeaning comments toward women journalists, citing past incidents and reactions from press‑freedom organizations [4] [6]. Coverage highlights that the insult “piggy” has historical resonance in Trump coverage — it was referenced in past claims by public figures and raised concerns about sexism in presidential rhetoric [4] [3].
4. White House response and political pushback
The White House defended the president’s language in public responses, with at least one administration official saying reporters “have to be able to take” such barbs [5]. Meanwhile, reporting records bipartisan discomfort: outlets note the comment was criticized by both Democrats and some Republicans in media accounts, and many journalists framed it as “beneath the dignity of the presidency” [4] [7]. The reporting shows a split between the administration’s defensive posture and critics who said the moment exemplified sustained hostility toward the press [5] [4].
5. Why the exchange drew particular attention — context of the Epstein files
The question that triggered the exchange related to unclassified files tied to Jeffrey Epstein; the gaggle came as Congress was moving toward votes and as large batches of Epstein‑related documents had been released in recent days, prompting intense scrutiny and follow‑ups from reporters [2] [8]. Coverage ties the president’s earlier reluctance and then stated willingness to sign a release bill to that broader legislative fight, giving the moment heightened political significance [2].
6. Media framing — competing narratives and possible agendas
News outlets framed the episode in different tones: some emphasized the insult and its gendered implications (The Guardian, The Independent), others foregrounded the news peg — the Epstein files and shifting political stances — while still documenting the insult [4] [2]. The White House and allied outlets emphasized the reporter’s conduct and defended the president, a line of response that shifts focus from the insult to journalistic behavior [5]. Readers should note these contrasting emphases reflect different institutional priorities: editorial criticism of presidential rhetoric versus administration damage control.
7. Limitations and what remains unknown
Available reporting documents the phrase and the exchange on video, and most outlets identify the reporter as a Bloomberg correspondent, but some pieces note initial ambiguity around the reporter’s identity and the off‑camera nature of the question [1] [4]. Available sources do not provide a single, centralized transcript or a Bloomberg press release fully confirming details beyond the media reports cited here [3] [2]. Claims about motive, intent, or the president’s private views are not established in the provided reporting and therefore not confirmed by these sources.
If you want, I can compile the key video timestamps and direct links cited above so you can view the clip yourself and judge context firsthand [1] [2] [3].