In a tense Oval Office moment, President Donald Trump erupted at ABC News reporter Mary Bruce, accusing her network of spreading βfakeβ news and even suggesting its broadcast license should be revoked. The confrontation happened as he welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington.
βYouβre a radical left network,β Trump said in a raised voice. βI think the license should be taken away from ABC, because your news is so fake and itβs so wrong.β He added sharply, βYou go back and learn how to be a reporter. No more questions from you.β
BREAKING: An unhinged, visibly rattled Trump CRASHES OUT on an Epstein files question, threatens to revoke license from ABC “because your news is so fake and so wrong.”
The question was valid.
His reaction was insane. pic.twitter.com/v7ttAcox9bβ Really American πΊπΈ (@ReallyAmerican1) November 18, 2025
The trigger was a simple question: βMr President why wait for Congress to release the Epstein files, why not just do it now?β Bruce asked. Trumpβs response focused more on her tone than the question itself. βItβs the way you ask these questions. You start off β¦ asking him a horrible, insubordinate and just a terrible question β¦ Youβre a terrible person and a terrible reporter.β
He quickly moved to defend himself, saying, βI have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert.β The words were sharp, meant to close the door on any lingering doubts.
This wasnβt an isolated incident. Just days earlier, Trump told Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey, βQuiet. Quiet, piggy,β after she asked whether there was anything incriminating in the Epstein files. The remark sparked outrage, with journalists calling it demeaning and mean-spirited.
The ABC confrontation also touched on Saudi Arabiaβs most sensitive subject. Bruce asked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about Jamal Khashoggiβs murder, a topic U.S. intelligence has consistently linked to the Saudi leader. Trump, however, sidestepped the question while defending business ties and the promised $1 trillion investment.
Pressure over the Epstein files has been mounting. The Justice Department requested federal courts unseal grand jury transcripts connected to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. A Florida judge had previously blocked a similar request, citing strict protections for grand jury secrecy.
Congress has taken a decisive step on the Epstein files. The U.S. House voted overwhelmingly to force the Department of Justice to release records connected to Jeffrey Epstein. The move reflects broad bipartisan support and marks one of the most significant pushes for transparency on the case in years.
Critics say Trumpβs attacks reflect a larger pattern of hostility toward journalists. Experts note that revoking a broadcast license is not only extremely difficult but would raise serious First Amendment concerns.
The visit with Prince Mohammed was meant to showcase diplomacy, defense deals, and huge investment pledges. Instead, the headlines highlighted a showdown between a president and the press.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
