President Donald Trump has publicly berated a female journalist who asked why he was focusing on a renovation project at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool while military action in Iran and high fuel prices dominated the news agenda.
Donald Trump slams female journalist over reflecting pool question
Trump made an unannounced visit to the National Mall landmark on Thursday, where a resurfacing project is underway to fix water leakage and staining before the national 250th anniversary events this summer.
ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott questioned the timing of the appearance. “Mr. President, you are here against the backdrop of the war in Iran. Why focus on all these projects right now? We’re still seeing gas prices soaring?” she asked.
Trump interrupted, replying: “You know why? Because I want to keep our country beautiful and safe. Beautiful also.” The president then spoke at length about “dirt” in Washington, D.C., referencing his decision to deploy National Guard members for beautification work. The duties traditionally handled by the National Park Service, whose funding this administration cut. “You probably don’t see dirt,” Trump said, gesturing toward Scott. “But I do.”
He continued with claims about the reflecting pool, “They had to take 11 or 12 truckloads of garbage out of that lake, out of that water.” Then the remarks became personal. “That’s such a stupid question that you asked. We’re fixing up the reflecting pond,” Trump said.
He then turned to nearby workers to criticise Scott further. “This is one of the worst reporters,” he said. “She’s with ABC fake news and she’s a horror show.” He added that “a question like that is a disgrace to our country.”
As the event concluded and Donald Trump returned to his vehicle, he reportedly gestured in Rachel Scott’s direction, shook his head, smirked, and made a remark that microphones did not capture. Scott reported about it on X (formerly Twitter), summarising her question and Trump’s response without commenting on the personal nature of his attack.
(Source: The Daily Beast)
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
