The Heated Exchange: Donald Trump Snaps On Reporter For Her “Attitude” After Being Asked About Epstein Files
When Donald Trump gets heated, he doesn’t exactly whisper about it. The president proved that once again during a tense moment with ABC News reporter Mary Bruce. And honestly, the whole room felt that shift. The energy went from standard press briefing to full-on showdown in seconds. Trump didn’t just answer the question — he shut it down with fire. Before we get into the entire verbal clash, you can also check out our coverage of other political dust-ups on our site, like this recent breakdown of media run-ins.
The situation popped off when Bruce first questioned Trump about the 2018 death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump immediately pounced on ABC, calling the network “fake news” and labeling Bruce as “one of the worst” reporters covering the White House. He defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, even though U.S. intelligence has stated the Saudi government likely ordered Khashoggi’s death.
But the real explosion happened when Bruce pressed him about something even more sensitive: the unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files.
Once she asked why he still has not released materials connected to the convicted sex offender, Trump launched straight into attack mode.
“It’s not the question I mind, it’s your attitude,” Trump told Bruce. “I think you are a terrible reporter. It’s the way you ask. … You’re a terrible person and a terrible reporter.”
The moment was icy, sharp, and honestly a little chaotic. Trump insisted ABC’s top brass had prepped Bruce to ambush him and called the whole thing a setup. He denied — again — having any real connection to Epstein, saying Democrats are pushing a “hoax” that he had “nothing to do with.”
Bruce tried to follow up, but Trump cut her off, going all the way to questioning ABC’s right to broadcast.
“The license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and so wrong,” he said. And he didn’t stop there. “Because when you come in and you’re 97 percent negative to Trump and Trump wins the election by a landslide, that means obviously your news is not credible. And you’re not credible as a reporter.”
This wasn’t an isolated feud, either. Trump and ABC News have had beef for years, including a defamation lawsuit he filed that resulted in a $15 million settlement.
His Federal Communications Commission chair, Brendan Carr, has also blasted ABC’s coverage and even pushed the network to suspend Jimmy Kimmel over comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The Trump-ABC war is old. But this latest clash just added more fire to a relationship that’s already torched.
The Bigger Picture Behind Trump’s Outburst Over the Epstein Files
A moment like this doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Trump knows the Epstein conversation is a political landmine. Any mention of Epstein — his past, his connections, his death — instantly lights up conspiracy circles, social media timelines, and political talking points across the board. So when Bruce pushed that button, Trump’s reaction wasn’t just emotional. It was strategic, defensive, and very on-brand.
Trump’s approach during conflicts with the media usually follows a pattern: attack the network, attack the reporter, question credibility, frame the outlet as biased, and redirect attention.
This moment checked every box. And even if people disagree with his delivery, it’s undeniable that he knows how to dominate a headline.
But beyond the theatrics, this exchange also highlights the ongoing tension between political power and journalistic accountability. Reporters push. Presidents push back. And when the subject is as explosive as Epstein, nobody’s coming into the room calmly.
Bruce pressed Trump because the Epstein files continue to spark public interest, speculation, and demands for full transparency. Celebrities, politicians, billionaires — Epstein’s name touches them all. So when Trump brushed it off as a “hoax,” it only added more fuel to an already burning conversation.
Regardless of whose side people fall on, one thing is clear: this topic isn’t going away. And Trump’s reaction guaranteed it will stay front-page for a minute.