Trump Shuts Down Female Reporter: A Timeline of His Clashes With Women Journalists
President Donald Trump’s latest confrontation with an ABC News reporter has revived scrutiny of his long history of heated exchanges with female journalists.
By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi/ Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
September 11, 2026
President Donald Trump’s latest confrontation with an ABC News reporter has revived scrutiny of his long history of heated exchanges with female journalists, a pattern that has repeatedly dominated headlines throughout his political career.
The newest incident unfolded just hours after Trump promised a $5,000 “Trump dividend” for every adult American if Republicans win the 2026 midterm elections. When challenged about the proposal, the president abruptly cut off the reporter and launched into another personal attack.
While Trump frequently clashes with members of the media regardless of gender, media analysts say many of his most personal insults have been directed at prominent women covering the White House.
The latest clash: Rachel Scott
On September 10, ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott questioned Trump about why voters would need a $5,000 incentive if his economic policies were already succeeding.
Before she could finish a follow-up question, Trump interrupted her, saying, “Not you!” He went on to dismiss Scott as “one of the worst reporters” and criticized ABC News in front of cameras.
The exchange quickly went viral across social media and became one of the defining moments following the Republican convention in Dallas.
Timeline of Trump’s clashes with female reporters
September 2026
Rachel Scott
Trump cut off Scott during a question about his $5,000 payment proposal, telling her “Not you!” before insulting both the reporter and her network.
September 2026
Mary Bruce
During questions about poor attendance at the Republican convention, Trump dismissed Bruce’s reporting as “fake news” and rejected suggestions that many Republican candidates skipped the event because of political concerns.
August–September 2026
Kristen Welker
Trump publicly accused the Meet the Press moderator of spreading misinformation and even suggested she should face action from the Federal Communications Commission over her reporting.
2026
Maggie Haberman
The veteran White House reporter has remained one of Trump’s most frequent targets. He has repeatedly attacked her personally on social media, calling her derogatory names while criticizing her reporting on his administration.
2022–2026
Kaitlan Collins
Trump has repeatedly singled out Collins during press conferences, telling her to “smile” more, questioning her professionalism and recently attacking her again on Truth Social after CNN aired criticism of his economic policies.
Late 2025
Catherine Lucey
After asking Trump about the Jeffrey Epstein case, Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey was mocked with the nickname “Piggy,” drawing widespread condemnation from journalism organizations.
A recurring criticism
According to an Axios analysis, Trump has publicly demeaned female reporters at least 13 times since returning to the White House in late 2025. Press freedom advocates argue that the repeated personal attacks can expose journalists to harassment and undermine confidence in independent reporting.
The White House rejects that criticism, insisting the president treats reporters aggressively because he believes much of the media is biased—not because of gender. Officials say Trump’s confrontational style reflects his willingness to challenge what he considers unfair journalism.
Why it matters
The latest confrontation comes during a critical midterm election campaign in which Trump has made media criticism a central part of his political message. As Republicans seek to retain control of Congress, his exchanges with reporters continue to generate as much attention as his policy proposals, reinforcing a combative relationship with the press that has defined both of his presidencies.
