US President Donald Trump has launched a deeply personal attack against a New York Times reporter, describing her as "ugly inside and out" after the newspaper published a story raising questions about whether the 80-year-old leader was slowing down.
The Controversial Truth Social Post
On Wednesday, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to target Katie Rogers, one of the journalists behind the New York Times piece that examined his recent energy levels and health. In a scathing post, he accused Rogers of being "assigned to write only bad things" about him and labeled her a "third-rate reporter."
"The writer of the story, Katie Rogers, who is assigned to write only bad things about me, is a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out," Trump wrote in the social media outburst that has sparked widespread controversy.
Defending His Health and Energy
The president vigorously defended his physical and mental capabilities in the same social media post. He acknowledged that everyone eventually experiences declining energy but insisted this wasn't happening to him currently.
Trump pointed to his recent medical examinations, stating he had taken "a perfect physical exam and a comprehensive cognitive test" that he claimed was "aced." He emphasized that while there might come a day when he runs low on energy, "it certainly is not now."
New York Times Stands By Reporting
The New York Times article that triggered Trump's response reported that the president had shown signs of tiredness in recent weeks. The piece specifically noted that Trump appeared drowsy during an Oval Office event earlier this month and mentioned ongoing health questions after he confirmed undergoing an MRI in October as part of what he called a routine physical.
The newspaper has firmly stood behind its reporting. A spokesperson for the publication stated that the story was based on first-hand information and emphasized that personal attacks would not deter their journalists from covering the administration.
"Expert and thorough reporters like Katie Rogers exemplify how an independent and free press helps the American people better understand their government and its leaders," the spokesperson affirmed.
Pattern of Targeting Female Reporters
This incident represents the latest in a series of personal attacks by Trump against female journalists. Less than two weeks ago, he called a Bloomberg correspondent "piggy" while aboard Air Force One. He also recently dismissed an ABC News reporter as a "terrible person" during a tense exchange about questions concerning Jamal Khashoggi and the Epstein files.
Over the years, Trump has frequently directed his most aggressive language toward women in the press, using descriptors like "nasty" and making references to menstruation to deflect difficult questions. This pattern has drawn criticism from media organizations and press freedom advocates worldwide.
The ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the media continues to raise important questions about the relationship between political leaders and the press corps, particularly regarding appropriate discourse and the boundaries of professional criticism.
