Donald Trump is facing backlash after a viral clip showed the president lashing out at a reporter during a tense exchange with the press.
The 80-year-old commander in chief was asked about his health and decision to skip a campaign rally, but his response quickly turned personal. Now, social media users are calling out Trump for his treatment of the journalist, with some questioning how the president could criticize someone else’s appearance. Read more about the situation below.
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Donald Trump Berates Reuters Reporter During Press Briefing
The confrontation took place on Thursday, October 29th, as Trump spoke to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The president had just returned from a campaign trip to South Carolina, where he was supporting Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections. During the briefing, a Reuters reporter asked the commander in chief how he was feeling and whether his health had anything to do with his decision to skip a planned Saturday rally in Kansas.
The journalist, who was not identified by name, also questioned whether the Apprentice star was simply tired of traveling after a busy campaign schedule. The president had been scheduled to appear in person at the Kansas event but planned to participate in a tele-rally instead. The exchange quickly became heated as the president took issue with the reporter's questions and began criticizing his appearance.
"You are a sick guy," he said. "Reuters is terrible, by the way. Look at this guy. He's way out of shape...You're disgusting...Put yourself in shape...You look like hell."
Internet Users Accuse Trump Of 'Bullying' Reporter
Social media users couldn't get over how harshly the president spoke to the journalist, with many calling his comments mean-spirited and unnecessary.
The viral clip prompted a wave of backlash from people who felt the 80-year-old had crossed a line by making personal remarks about a reporter who was simply doing his job. Others pointed out the irony of Trump criticizing someone's appearance, given some of his latest health concerns.
"Has he looked in a mirror lately?" an X user asked.
"Guy has less self-awareness than his last press secretary," another joked.
"This man is sick," a user noted. "And our society is sick for celebrating his moral failings."
One user accused the president of acting "like a fat, angry toddler," as another commented, "Talk about a guy with absolutely no self-awareness whatsoever."
Several users called the president a "bully," and another wrote he was "grotesque."
"This is beyond parody; you can't criticize anyone's physical shape when you look like this," added another.
