White House Defends Trump's 'Piggy' Remark to Reporter Amid Epstein & Khashoggi Questions Controversy

White House Defends Trump Amid Controversial Remarks to Female Journalists

The White House has publicly defended former President Donald Trump following two separate incidents where he used disparaging language towards female journalists. The controversy gained traction after Trump reportedly referred to a reporter as "piggy" during an exchange concerning convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The "Piggy" Incident and White House Defense

During a recent press briefing at the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the initial incident, which occurred aboard Air Force One. The reporter in question had pressed Trump about a newly released email from Epstein, allegedly claiming Trump "knew about the girls." According to reports, Trump leaned in, pointed, and instructed the reporter to be "Quiet, piggy."

Leavitt's defense centered on Trump's perceived transparency and frankness, suggesting these qualities were reasons why American voters had re-elected him. She argued that reporters should appreciate his openness in answering questions. "He calls out fake news when he sees it and gets frustrated with reporters who spread false information," Leavitt stated, though she did not offer specific evidence of false reporting in this context. She also emphasized his "unprecedented access to the press and answers questions on a near-daily basis."

Another Incident: "Terrible Person" Comment

This incident wasn't isolated. Earlier in the week, in the Oval Office, Trump reportedly called another female reporter "a terrible person." This comment came after she questioned Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and also pressed Trump on why he hadn't released the full Epstein files.

Epstein Files Legislation and Journalists' Condemnation

Despite initial resistance, Trump recently signed legislation mandating the Justice Department to release documents from its extensive investigation into Epstein's activities. This move follows ongoing public pressure for greater transparency regarding the case.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has vehemently condemned Trump's pattern of using demeaning language, particularly towards women reporters. Caroline Hendrie, SPJ Executive Director, commented on the situation, stating, "Nobody expects presidents to be reporters' biggest fans. But targeting women reporters with humiliating insults should not be tolerated." The White House, however, has declined further comment beyond Leavitt's original statement regarding the "piggy" remark.