Donald Trump faced strong criticism for his recent comment directed at a journalist, during an exchange on Air Force One. On November 13, 2023, the president called Bloomberg White House correspondent Catherine Lucey “piggy” after she pressed him on the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This incident has ignited a wave of backlash from Trump’s critics, while some supporters have come to his defense, disputing whether he actually used the term “piggy.”
The controversy intensified during a recent episode of Club Random, where comedian Bill Maher confronted Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, regarding her skepticism about whether her father-in-law made the comment. Maher stated, “Don’t do things like call a woman ‘piggy,'” to which Lara Trump responded with laughter, questioning the validity of the statement and suggesting he might have said “McGee” instead.
As the discussion progressed, Maher emphasized the difficulty in promoting a message aimed at uniting people, especially when Trump’s remarks add to divisiveness. He stated, “It just makes my job more difficult when, during this week, he says to a woman, ‘Piggy.’ Even you must admit this is just not cool, not necessary.” Lara Trump continued to laugh off the remark, which further highlighted the disconnect between her defense of Trump and the broader criticism he faced.
During a press briefing following the incident, Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, was questioned about the president’s remark. Leavitt responded, emphasizing Trump’s directness and honesty, suggesting that his approach is one of the reasons he was re-elected. “He calls out fake news when he sees it,” she stated, asserting that Trump’s communication style reflects transparency, in contrast to previous administrations.
The exchange occurred as scrutiny increases on the US Department of Justice regarding its investigation into Epstein’s activities. Recently, Trump signed legislation requiring the declassification of documents related to Epstein, including any correspondence and details about the inquiry into his death while in federal custody in 2019. This development has added layers of complexity to the ongoing discussions surrounding Trump’s comments and their implications.
As this situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Trump’s remarks will impact his political standing and the forthcoming discussions on issues tied to transparency and accountability in government.
