Trump’s Tense Exchange with ABC Reporter in Oval Office

On Monday, President Donald Trump confronted ABC reporter Mary Bruce during a press event, after she pressed him on topics involving Saudi Arabia and Jeffrey Epstein. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia was present in the Oval Office at the time.

Trump accused Bruce of spreading “fake” news and suggested that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should consider revoking ABC’s broadcasting license. He told her, “It’s not the question that bothers me. It’s your attitude. I think you’re a terrible reporter,” in response to her inquiry about why he hadn’t ordered the release of Epstein’s files personally.

Earlier, Bruce had asked about the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, a crime U.S. intelligence agencies attribute to the Saudi leader. Upon realizing Bruce worked for ABC, Trump remarked, “It’s fake news.”

He continued, saying, “It starts with a horribly disobedient and terrible question to a highly respected person.”

In the midst of the exchange, Trump pointed to recently released documents related to Epstein, insisting Bruce had “nothing to do” with Epstein, whom he had banned from his club years ago.

Trump also cited a number of Democrats and celebrities who he claimed were friends with Epstein, saying they spent considerable time together. He mentioned former President Bill Clinton and Lawrence Summers, with Summers recently stepping back from public life due to emails revealing extensive communication with Epstein.

Additionally, Trump suggested FCC Chairman Brendan Carr should look into revoking ABC’s license, stating, “I think the news should be stripped of its license because it’s so fake. And it’s so wrong.” He accused the network of bias against him, indicating that their reporting often lacked balance, especially regarding the “radical left.”

He criticized the way Bruce asked questions, claiming they were filled with “anger and spite,” and advised her to go back and learn how to report properly.

Bruce, who serves as ABC’s chief White House correspondent, received some support online following the incident. CNN commentator David Axelrod noted that Trump seemed perturbed by her line of questioning.

As the press conference continued, Bruce posed more questions about the business dealings of Trump’s family in Saudi Arabia, which the president denied any involvement in. Furthermore, she inquired about the ongoing accusations against the crown prince regarding Khashoggi’s killing.