White House defends Donald Trump’s ‘frankness’ as ‘Piggy’ remark fuels online outrage

US President Donald Trump

The White House on Thursday defended US President Donald Trump’s conduct with the press after he called a female reporter “Quiet, piggy” aboard Air Force One last week.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump “is very frank and honest with everyone in this room,” adding that while the president sometimes “gets frustrated with reporters,” he remains “the most transparent president in history.”

Leavitt said Trump’s near-daily exchanges with the press since taking office in January contrast sharply with former US President Joe Biden, who held fewer open-question sessions. She insisted that reporters “should appreciate the frankness and the openness that you get from President Trump.”

Earlier while talking to White House correspondent Catherine Lucey, Donald Trump said, “Quiet. Quiet, piggy.” The comment, directed at her while she attempted to ask about the controversy surrounding recently revealed Jeffrey Epstein documents, immediately sparked backlash and added to Trump’s turbulent relationship with the media.

The incident occurred last Friday aboard Air Force One. Lucey had begun to ask whether Trump supported a House vote to release the files, starting her question with, “If there’s nothing incriminating in the files...” before he cut her off, pointing a finger at her and repeating: “Quiet. Quiet, piggy.”

Though the exchange may appear like a sudden flare-up, experts say Trump’s reaction reflects a deeper, more deliberate pattern in how he targets and belittles journalists, especially women, when confronted with uncomfortable questions.

Trump’s remarks fit into a long pattern of publicly belittling female journalists. In an earlier incident during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he reprimanded ABC News correspondent Mary Bruce for questioning him about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Trump dismissed her queries by saying she was embarrassing their guest and added, “ABC fake news. One of the worst in the business.”

*With Agency Inputs