Donald Trump snaps at journalist as White House blasts reporter as ‘inappropriate’
Donald Trump has sparked outrage after lambasting a female reporter when she questioned him about the Epstein files. WATCH THE VIDEO.
The White House has defended Donald Trump after video emerged of him snapping at a female journalist.
Mr Trump was quizzed about the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein on board Air Force One last Friday when the disturbing incident happened.
Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey asked if there was anything incriminating in the Epstein files, but the president quickly lashed out at her appearing to say: “Quiet, quiet piggy”.
He then appeared to wag a finger in her face.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper said the comment was “disgusting and completely unacceptable”, and former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson described it as “degrading”.
The White House however has defended the US president over his comment, stating the press should be able to “take it.”
“This reporter behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way toward her colleagues on the plane,” a White House official told the Daily Beast.
“If you’re going to give it, you have to be able to take.”
The White House has been approached for comment.
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SAUDI ARABIA DESIGNATED NON-NATO ALLY
President Trump said he was designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, as he hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a gala dinner at the White House.
“Tonight, I’m pleased to announce that we’re taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is something that is very important to them,” Mr Trump said.
“And I’m just telling you now for the first time, because they wanted to keep a little secret for tonight,” he said of the designation, which only 19 other countries have previously received.
TRUMP SHRUGS OFF MURDER DURING SAUDI PRINCE VISIT
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a red-carpet welcome from Donald Trump on his first visit to the United States since the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The US President told reporters the royal “knew nothing about” Mr Khashoggi’s death adding that “things happen”.
“You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial,” Mr Trump said after a reporter asked MBS, as the crown prince is known, about the journalist’s death.
“A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen,” Mr Trump said.
Turning to his counterpart, Mr Trump said: “But he knew nothing about it.”
The prince himself said the journalist’s death was “painful and it’s a huge mistake, and we are doing our best that this doesn’t happen again.”
Upon the prince’s arrival, a military band played as the two leaders stood together and watched F-35 fighter jets fly overhead.
Washington is expected to sell the highly advanced US F-35 fighter jets to the Gulf monarchy.
Cannon fire and a parade of horses also greeted the Saudi prince as Mr Trump doubled down on Washington’s burgeoning alliance – and his own personal bond – with the key Middle Eastern ally.
Later, Mr Khashoggi’s widow called on MBS to personally apologise for her husband’s death
“The Crown Prince said he was sorry so he should meet me, apologise and compensate me for the murder of my husband,” Hanan Elatr Khashoggi wrote on X.
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PRINCE SAYS PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD KEY TO ISRAEL TIES
The Saudi prince said that his kingdom wanted to normalise relations with Israel through Mr Trump’s Abraham Accords, but first needed a “clear path” to Palestinian statehood.
“We want to be part of the Abraham Accords. But we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path of two-state solution,” Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler said in the Oval Office.
“We’re going to work on that, to be sure that we can prepare the right situation as soon as possible,” he added.
Pressed by Mr Trump, who said that his guest had a “very good feeling” for the Abraham accords, the prince said: “We want peace for the Israelis. We want peace for the Palestinians.” “We want them to coexist peacefully in the region, and we will do our best to reach that date.”
Mr Trump also blasted a US ABC News reporter who asked whether his family’s business dealings with Saudi Arabia constituted a conflict of interest.
“I have nothing to do with the family business. I have left and I’ve devoted 100 per cent of my energy (to running this country),” Mr Trump said.
“What my family does is fine. They do business all over. They’ve done very little in Saudi Arabia, actually, though I’m sure they can do a lot, and anything they’ve done has been very good.”
‘PAINFUL’: SAUDI PRINCE BLASTS OSAMA BIN LADEN
The prince told journalists Osama bin Laden purposely used people from his country in the 9/11 terror attacks to “destroy” US-Saudi relations.
Asked to respond to 9/11 families angered at his visit to the White House, bin Salman said they should instead support deepening US-Saudi relations.
“I feel painful about, you know, the families of 9/11 in America. But you know we have to focus on reality, reality based on CIA documents, and based on a lot of documents, that Osama bin Laden used Saudi people in that event for one main purpose – (which) is to destroy this relation, to destroy the American-Saudi relation.
“That’s the purpose of (it.) So whoever’s buying that, that means they are helping Osama bin Laden (’s) purpose of destroying this relation. He knows that strong relation between America and Saudi Arabia, it’s bad for extremism. It’s bad for terrorism, and we have to prove him wrong and to build our relation, continue developing our relations, it’s critical in the safety of the world.”
Fifteen of the 19 September 11 hijackers were citizens of Saudi Arabia.
Mr Trump poked fun at former US president Joe Biden’s infamous fist bump with bin Salman in 2022, joking that he is not afraid to touch the Saudi leader.
“Trump doesn’t give a fist bump,” Trump told reporters after shaking the crown prince’s hand in the Oval Office.
“I grab that hand. I don’t give a hell where that hand has been, I grab that hand.”
Portugal soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in Saudi Arabia, will also be at the White House for the gala day of events.
Mr Trump has made a priority of boosting ties with the oil-rich Gulf kingdom, and said he would sell coveted F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia, calling it a “great ally.”
President Trump will also sign a deal on a framework for civilian nuclear co-operation, a US official and a source familiar with the negotiations said.
The 40-year-old prince has fostered close ties with Mr Trump and his family over the years – a relationship burnished by a lavish welcome and US$600 billion in investment pledges when the president visited Saudi Arabia in May.
Saudi Arabia is also expected to announce a “multi-billion dollar investment” in AI infrastructure in the United States, the US official added.
“We’re more than meeting,” Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One when asked about the visit.
“We’re honouring Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince.”
TRUMP NOT AFRAID TO ESCALATE CONFLICT WITH LATIN AMERICA
President Donald Trump said he will talk to Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, as Washington’s military build-up stokes tensions, and added that he would be “OK” with US anti-drug strikes inside Mexico.
Mr Trump has dramatically increased the number of US forces in the Caribbean region to tackle what he calls drug traffickers based in a number of Latin American countries including Venezuela and Mexico.
“At a certain period of time, I’ll be talking to him,” Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked if he would speak to Maduro, while adding that the Venezuelan president “has not been good to the United States.”
Asked if he would rule out US troops on the ground in Venezuela, Mr Trump replied: “No, I don’t rule out that, I don’t rule out anything.
“We just have to take care of Venezuela,” he added.
“They dumped hundreds of thousands of people into our country from prisons.”
Mr Maduro said on his weekly television show that he was ready to talk “face-to-face” with anyone in the United States “who wants to talk to Venezuela.”
Venezuela has accused Washington of seeking regime change in Caracas with its military build-up including an aircraft carrier group, warships and several stealth jets.
President Trump has also accused Mexico of failing to tackle drug trafficking groups, and stepped up his rhetoric towards the United States’s southern neighbour.
“Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It’s OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs,” President Trump said when asked by reporters at the White House whether he would sanction a US counter-drug operation in Mexico.
“I didn’t say I’m doing it, but I’d be proud to do it. Because we’re going to save millions of lives by doing it.”
Since August, Washington has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, including half a dozen warships, officially to combat drug trafficking destined for the United States.
KEITH URBAN PLAYS TRUMP PARTY
Aussie singer Keith Urban performed a rousing rendition of LGBTQ artist Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club at a party hosted by Donald Trump.
Urban, the estranged husband of fellow Aussie export Nicole Kidman, sang at the private event at President Trump’s Palm Beach resort Mar-a-Lago at the weekend with new video showing his intriguing set list.
The conservative crowd was treated to not only the queer anthem but also a cover of Bob Marley’s Is This Love?
Urban holds citizenship to his country of birth New Zealand; Australia where he immigrated with his family at age two; and also the US.
He was asked back in 2017 during Mr Trump’s first term in office by ITK whether he would consider playing at one of the president’s events.
“First of all, I’m an American citizen, and I support supporting our country as a citizen,” Urban said.
“I would like to probably answer that question when it comes up.
“But I’m a citizen, and I like to do what’s right.”
Social media users were quick to seize on Urban’s song choice.
“Well … I can’t help but wonder how @chappellroan feels about Keith Urban singing her song at Mar a Lago,” wrote an Instagram user.
Another reacted: “They got an immigrant singing a queer person song”.
It’s worth noting Urban has covered “Pink Pony Club” in the past, including at concerts on his current tour.
Australian cardboard king Anthony Pratt was also at the party.
Mr Pratt made a $US10m ($A15.4m) donation to President Trump’s election campaign and has committed to investing $US5bn ($A7.6m) in his American manufacturing operations.
“Pratt Industries is the largest individually owned manufacturer in America, thanks to the great manufacturing economy President Trump is building,” Mr Pratt wrote on LinkedIn, sharing a snap of himself dining with Mr Trump at the event.
RARE DOUBLE PARDON FOR JANUARY 6 RIOTER
US President Donald Trump has pardoned for the second time a militia member involved in the January 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol, who was in jail for illegal possession of firearms.
Mr Trump had already pardoned Dan Wilson, a member of the far-right group Oath Keepers, on the day of his January 20 inauguration, along with over 1,500 other rioters.
But Wilson’s separate conviction for illegally possessing firearms in his Kentucky home was not initially covered.
Sentenced to five years in prison, he was due to be released in 2028.
A presidential decree, seen by AFP and dated Friday, stated that the latest pardon was “full and unconditional.”
Wilson’s lawyers George Pallas and Carol Stewart said he was “relieved to be home with his loved ones” after seven months behind bars.
The pardon “not only restores his freedom but also shines a light on the overreach that has divided this nation,” they said in a statement to US media, including Politico.
The Trump administration initially argued in February that the pardon did not cover the firearms conviction because it was unrelated to the Capitol riot.
Dan Wilson with Daniel and Drone. Making a transport swamp to get Dan back home. Freedom never felt so good! Thank you â¦@POTUSâ© pic.twitter.com/NeVT9W3hYG
— Shelley (@ProudArmymom66) November 15, 2025
But the Justice Department changed course a few weeks later, ruling that it should apply to the weapons offences because they were discovered during an FBI investigation into the riot.
President Trump has regularly downplayed the seriousness of the Capitol riot, calling it a “day of love” and “outpouring of affection” for him.
Hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the seat of Congress on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to prevent the certification of his opponent Joe Biden’s victory.
WHAT BARRON REALLY SAID TO BIDEN AT TRUMP’S INAUGURATION
Barron Trump’s big brother Eric has let slip what the President’s youngest son actually said to Joe Biden at the inauguration.
Footage of the former president shaking hands with young Barron, who leaned over to say something to him earnestly, went viral with speculation on what his words may have been following a bitter election campaign that saw Mr Biden spectacularly withdraw from the race.
What Barron Trump said to Biden during his dad’s inauguration revealed https://t.co/qLJIJGL7v3pic.twitter.com/ClwFKrhWg6
— New York Post (@nypost) November 17, 2025
“One night I call Barron and I go, ‘Buddy, what did you actually say?’ And it was something so polite I almost wouldn’t even get it right,” Eric told podcast host Megyn Kelly.
“But like, ‘Congratulations, and best of luck to you,’ or something like that. Something very respectable,” Eric recounted.
ICE SWOOPS ON US CITY IN ‘CHARLOTTE’S WEB’
More than 80 have been arrested in North Carolina as immigration crackdown protesters clash with ICE.
The operation, dubbed Charlotte’s Web, is sweeping the state’s biggest city despite objections form local leaders and residents.
Gregory Bovino, a senior US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commander who previously led mass operations in Chicago, posted images of recent arrests online, saying the Charlotte tally had topped 80.
Bovino spearheaded a similar operation in Chicago and has shared images of people being arrested to X.
“We arrested him, taking him off the streets of Charlotte so he can’t continue to ignore our laws and drive intoxicated on the same roads you and your loved ones are on,” Bovino said on X.
Spokeswoman Paola Garcia said families who “love this country” were now living in fear as federal agents descended on their neighbourhoods.
Local Democratic leaders warned the operation mirrored earlier crackdowns in Chicago and Los Angeles that prompted lawsuits over force, including chemical agents used on protesters.
TRUMP SHEDS LIGHT ON $2000 CHEQUE OFFER
President Trump’s proposed US$2,000 tariff dividend checks for American citizens are coming, he promised — but no date has been finalised yet.
The president gave an update on the timing of the potential payouts, saying they won’t come in time for the Christmas shopping season.
Instead, he said he’s planning to dole them out in 2026 as he grapples with a tough midterm election cycle.
“It will be next year. The tariffs allow us to give a dividend. We’re going to do a dividend and we’re also going to be reducing debt,” Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Mar-a-Lago.
Looming over the tariff dividends are concerns that the Supreme Court could strike down Mr Trump’s “trafficking” and “reciprocal” tariffs following a tough oral argument for the administration.
When asked if the Treasury would still send out tariff dividend checks if the Supreme Court rolls back his tariffs, Mr Trump said, “Then I’d have to do something else.”
– with AFP and NewsWire
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Originally published as Donald Trump snaps at journalist as White House blasts reporter as ‘inappropriate’
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