The White House has addressed the backlash surrounding an incident in which President Donald Trump called Bloomberg journalist Catherine Lucey a “piggy” during a press interaction aboard Air Force One. The moment quickly drew national attention and renewed debate about Trump’s treatment of reporters, particularly women. The exchange occurred on November 14 as the president traveled to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Journalists routinely accompany him on such trips, and Lucey was part of the traveling press corps that day. While mid-flight, she asked the president whether the recently released Epstein-related emails contained anything incriminating for him—an inquiry that visibly irritated him.
Pointing toward her, Trump snapped, “Quiet, quiet, piggy,” before continuing to criticize her work and questioning why her employer even hired her. The comment circulated widely online, adding to a long list of similar remarks the president has directed at female reporters and critics throughout his career.
Media Reaction and Defense from the White House
The insult immediately drew responses from journalists and media organizations. A spokesperson for Bloomberg News publicly defended Lucey, emphasizing that their White House team serves the public by asking necessary and often difficult questions without favoritism. Despite the criticism, a White House official defended the president’s behavior. The official claimed, without providing detail, that Lucey had acted unprofessionally toward colleagues aboard the aircraft. They added that anyone challenging the president should be prepared for an equally forceful response. The administration’s statement did not specify what conduct by Lucey allegedly prompted Trump’s reaction, leaving many observers confused about the reasoning behind the defense.
Context: Renewed Focus on Epstein-Related Emails
The exchange occurred shortly after the release of documents connected to the Oversight Committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. These emails, spanning several years, included references suggesting Epstein believed Trump was aware of his misconduct. The president has repeatedly denied knowing about Epstein’s trafficking activities, stating that their relationship ended long before Epstein’s final arrest. When asked earlier in the flight about accusations mentioned in the emails, Trump dismissed the claims as baseless. He redirected attention toward others who had been associated with Epstein, including political figures and academic leaders, insisting that the accusations against him were politically motivated. In a statement addressing the email release, the White House press secretary argued that Democrats selectively leaked the documents to mislead the public. According to the administration, the intention was to generate a false narrative that overshadowed the government’s recent reopening and the president’s accomplishments.
Who Is Catherine Lucey?
Although Lucey has not publicly responded to Trump’s insult, her background provides context to the situation. She is a seasoned journalist with nearly 25 years of experience, including nine covering the White House. Before joining Bloomberg, she reported for the Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, and The Philadelphia Daily News. Her work spans economic policy, foreign affairs, and major domestic issues. Trump’s tense interactions with Lucey have continued beyond the “piggy” comment. During the same weekend, he criticized her again after she questioned him about an interview involving commentator Tucker Carlson and nationalist figure Nick Fuentes, calling her “the worst.”
