Donald Trump generated the last kerfuffle when he spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One. When he instructed Bloomberg correspondent Catherine Lucey to “shut up, pig,” he crossed the line for a lot of people. Here’s how Trump responded when asked about his efforts to thwart the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s international child sex trafficking operation. The event developed into a fraught confrontation. The racist insult came out at the height of a crazy news cycle. That cycle was already focused on accusations concerning a notorious, high-profile sex-trafficking ring.
Lucey expressed disappointment that Trump was siding with Epstein, and he did not want to see the files released. These files have been the impetus for strong advocacy and conversations around sexual abuse and trafficking. Our challenge Trump by calling his response, widely criticized as insensitive and offensive, a strongman response went massively viral – reaching tens of millions of views on social media.
Moreover, the timing of the incident only intensified its significance. On that same day, Trump egged on a female reporter. She had just pressed him on the issue of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s involvement in the brutal murder of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This trend of hostile reactions to female reporters has been widely condemned. It has opened up a crucial dialogue about the treatment of women in journalism space.
“A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him, or didn’t like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that.” – Trump
Indeed, most political observers viewed Trump’s furious outburst as a sign of his likely fragile state given the recent political turmoil. Democrats have made unprecedented strides in off-year elections lately, and the Trump administration may very well be hearing footsteps over the Epstein files. Finally, some commentators consider his reaction a classic example of the overreaction. They argue it’s a sign that he’s very uncomfortable with this level of scrutiny at the moment.
Reactions to Trump’s comment have been both quick and fierce. Social media users have hilariously photoshopped the images placing Trump’s face on the pigs, tweeting at Trump over and over to “shut up piggy.” This backlash is representative of a larger backlash forming against Trump’s cavalier abuse of the media, especially when directed at women journalists.
Here’s how the Society of Professional Journalists reacted to the censorship. They pointed out that this incident is representative of a widespread pattern of violence against women in journalism. They warned that this pattern of behavior has debilitating effects on the foundation of protections for a free and independent press.
“These incidents are not isolated; they are part of an unmistakable pattern of hostility – often directed at women – that undermines the essential role of a free and independent press.” – Society of Professional Journalists
Critics have taken media outlets to task for what they see as a toothless and weak defense against Trump’s attacks. Many think that the media has demonstrated a “flaccid” spine, crumbling under the constant barrage of violence.
Parker Butler commented on the incident with concern over its minimal coverage at first, suggesting that viral moments like this can shape entire news cycles:
“It got almost NO coverage when he said it … A viral post can shape an entire news cycle.” – Parker Butler
Now, public figures have begun to join these cybersecurity experts in echoing the same sentiments, voicing their outrage over Trump’s remark. YouTuber Hank Green stated,
“I don’t know why the ‘Piggy’ thing is bothering me so much. It’s one more unforgivable thing in a list of 20,000 unforgivable things, but I’ve been mad about it for like 12 straight hours.” – Hank Green
Once again, the incident exemplifies Trump’s antagonistic attitude towards the media. It highlights crucial concerns about accountability and respect in our national political discourse. Environmental and cleanup advocates are widely condemning his comments. This episode serves as a timely reminder of the dangers journalists continue to encounter while covering critical issues.