A question from an ABC News reporter led President Donald Trump to lambast the organization over questions about the Epstein Files.
On Tuesday, ABC News’ Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce began her line of questioning to the President about his involvement with his family’s business in relation to Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before turning her attention to the Epstein Files.
In response, Trump called Bruce “horrible”, “insubordinate”, and “a terrible person and a terrible reporter” for asking questions related to the Epstein Files, as well as asking bin Salman about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
“The people are wise to your hoax,” Trump said. “And ABC, your crappy company, is one of the perpetrators. I’ll tell you something: I think the license should be taken away from ABC. Because your news is so fake and it’s so wrong.”
Trump then argued that he believes FCC Chairman Brendan Carr should investigate the organization.
“We have a great Commissioner, the chairman, who should look at that,” Trump said. “Because I think when you come in and when you’re 97% negative to Trump, and then Trump wins the election in a landslide, that means — obviously — your news is not credible. And you’re not credible as a reporter.”
The comments from Trump drew a quick rebuke from Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), who called the comments from President Donald Trump “thin-skinned”, “weak”, “un-American”, and “authoritarian.”
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it is appalling that Trump berated ABC News White House Correspondent Mary Bruce for doing her job. Mary Bruce is a first rate, veteran correspondent, highly regarded by her peer
Mary Bruce had every right to question Saudi Crown Prince MBS about his alleged complicity in the Oct 3, 2018 murder and dismemberment of Washington Post Corresopodent Jamal Kashosoggi. It was Trump’s own CIA which, in 2019, determined that MBS ordered the murder of Kashosggi.
it was disgraceful for Trump to host and greatly praise MBS, simply to sell him coveted F-35 fighters. And equally disgraceful for Trump to personally attack Msry Brice and threaten to remove her network’s licenses.
Bob Sirkin
Queen Creek, AZ
Former ABC News Correspondent