UPDATE: In a heated exchange, Lara Trump has come to her father-in-law, Donald Trump’s, defense after he faced criticism for calling journalist Catherine Lucey a “piggy” during a press briefing on November 13 aboard Air Force One. This incident has ignited a firestorm of backlash, with many condemning the former president’s remarks as inappropriate and disrespectful.
During the confrontation with Lucey, a correspondent for Bloomberg News, Trump snapped, “Quiet, piggy!” when pressed about the release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The fallout has seen both critics and allies weigh in, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt rushing to defend the president, saying he was simply being “frank and honest” with the media.
The exchange gained traction after comedian Bill Maher criticized Trump on his latest episode of Club Random, stating that remarks like these complicate conversations about unity among voters. Maher, who is penning an editorial urging liberals to “get over themselves,” noted that Trump’s comment detracts from that message. “It just makes my job more difficult when, during this week, he says to a woman, ‘Piggy,’” Maher expressed during the episode.
Lara Trump, married to Eric Trump, responded to Maher’s remarks with skepticism, questioning whether her father-in-law actually used the term “piggy.” “Do we know that happened?” she asked, to which Maher quickly rebutted, “I saw it on tape!” Yet, Lara continued to downplay the issue, laughing off the criticism and suggesting that Trump is an “equal-opportunity offender.”
The controversy comes at a time when pressure is mounting on the U.S. Department of Justice to disclose documents related to Epstein’s probe. Recently, Trump signed legislation requiring his administration to declassify all records associated with Epstein within 30 days, adding another layer of complexity to the public’s perception of his presidency.
In a press briefing last Thursday, Leavitt was asked to clarify Trump’s remarks. “Look, the president is very frank and honest with everyone in this room,” she responded. She emphasized that Trump’s communication style is one of the reasons he was re-elected, stating, “He calls out fake news when he sees it” and praised him for providing journalists with “unprecedented access.”
As this story develops, the implications of Trump’s comments and the surrounding criticism continue to resonate, raising questions about the impact of presidential rhetoric on public discourse. The fallout from this incident may influence perceptions leading into upcoming elections, as both Trump supporters and critics navigate the contentious political landscape.
What happens next? All eyes will be on how Trump’s allies respond to the backlash and whether the controversy affects his standing among key voter demographics. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
