When Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was visiting the White House, reporters asked President Trump essential questions.
When ABC News reporter Mary Bruce asked a question about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Trump responded in a harsh tone, saying, “You are embarrassing our guest.” He called the question “bad” and “obscene” and criticized the channel as well.
Trump even said that ABC’s license should be revoked. This is the same case in which US intelligence agencies have clearly stated that Saudi authorities ordered the murder, but Trump avoids talking about it openly.
Another incident came to light the same week when Bloomberg News reporter Catherine Lucey asked a question about the Epstein files. Trump stopped her from speaking and said, “Shut up, Piggy.” This word is considered a derogatory phrase in the United States, and its use by a president has caused surprise and anger in the media. This is not the first time Trump has used such words to several women in the past.
American journalism organizations have reacted strongly to this whole situation. The National Press Club issued a statement, saying that such phrases create a dangerous environment for journalists. According to them, when the murder of a journalist or similar incidents are taken lightly, it has a direct impact on press freedom.
ABC and Bloomberg have supported their reporters’ positions. They say that a journalist’s job is to ask questions, even if those questions are unpleasant for those in power. Despite this, Trump repeatedly uses language inconsistent with the position of an elected president.
Trump’s tension with the media is nothing new, but the events that occurred this week have intensified the debate. Some believe he deliberately targets reporters to avoid tough questions. On the other hand, some supporters argue that his style has always been tough and he is used to speaking directly.
The election atmosphere in American politics is already heated, and such incidents spark new debates in the media, the public, and political circles. Taking a harsh approach to journalists will not reduce this debate; instead, it will increase it.
