Donald Trump has drawn intense backlash after attacking New York Times White House correspondent Katie Rogers, calling her âugly, both inside and outâ in response to a story about his age and energy levels. The remark has reignited criticism of his pattern of singling out female journalists with personal, appearance-based insults.
What Trump Said
Trump posted on Truth Social lashing out at a New York Times piece that examined whether the now-elderly president is slowing down, branding it a âhit pieceâ and the paper a failing ârag.â
In the same post, he targeted Katie Rogers by name, calling her âa third-rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out,â and claiming she is âassigned to write only bad thingsâ about him.
Who Katie Rogers Is
Katie Rogers is a White House correspondent for The New York Times who has covered multiple administrations and is known for reporting on the presidency and first families.
She recently co-authored a data-driven report that highlighted visible signs of Trumpâs aging and questioned whether his schedule and public appearances reflect a slower pace, which appears to have triggered his online outburst.
Reaction from The New York Times and Media
The New York Times defended Rogers, stating that its reporting is grounded in firsthand facts and emphasizing that name-calling and personal attacks will not deter its journalists from covering the administration.
Editors, reporters, and media watchdogs condemned Trumpâs language as an intimidation tactic and an attack on press freedom, warning that such rhetoric against individual journalists can fuel harassment and threats.
Pattern of Attacks on Female Journalists
This is the latest in a series of sexist and personal insults Trump has directed at women in the press, following previous episodes where he labeled a female reporter âpiggyâ and mocked othersâ looks on national and social media platforms.
Critics argue that by focusing on womenâs appearance rather than their work, Trump is reinforcing a gendered double standard that discourages women from entering or staying in political journalism.
Political and Public Backlash
Trumpâs comment has sparked bipartisan criticism from press freedom advocates, womenâs rights groups, and many social media users, who describe the attack as âbullyingâ and âbeneath the office of the presidency.â
The controversy adds to ongoing concerns about Trumpâs combative relationship with the press, as he continues to brand major outlets âenemies of the peopleâ even while relying on media coverage to shape his political narrative.
