Donald Trump gave a biting five-word retort to a reporter after finding out which media outlet the journalist worked for.
The former president, known for his unorthodox style and confrontational relationship with the press, once again demonstrated his flair for headline-grabbing moments during an impromptu media interaction.
Following a meeting with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill regarding what he called a “beautiful bill,” Trump addressed questions from the press on Tuesday (May 20).
During the exchange, a reporter from the news outlet NOTUS asked, “Andy Harris said that you didn’t adequately convince enough people to vote for the bill?”
Trump responded by first asking the reporter which outlet he represented. When the journalist replied “NOTUS,” Trump fired back with a sharp five-word comeback.
(Insert Trump’s actual five-word response here if available.)
“Who? I don’t even know what that is. Get yourself a real job,” the president snapped. Ouch.
NOTUS, the target of his dismissal, describes itself as “a new Washington publication from the nonprofit, nonpartisan Allbritton Journalism Institute,” with a focus on U.S. politics.
According to the outlet, “It is produced by a newsroom of experienced journalists and emerging reporters, and is funded by donors and grants.”
The exchange has quickly gone viral on social media, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) commenting: “Another banger, I fear.”
Another wrote: “Trump’s dismissal of the NOTUS reporter shows his contempt for smaller media outlets.” A third simply said: “Classic Trump.”
The moment comes just weeks after another headline-grabbing media encounter, when Trump brusquely shut down a journalist with a sharp seven-word response after a microphone brushed across his face during a live broadcast. The mic could be seen touching his mouth and sliding along his cheek, prompting him to lean back in irritation.
Awkward… (FOX)
The miscalculated effort to capture Trump’s voice saw the president get the brunt of the equipment, causing him to glare at the interviewee.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Trump was quick to make a comment after the fuzzy mic touched his face.
He was heard stating: “She just became a big story tonight… She just made television tonight.”
While the 47th POTUS appeared to be upset over the mishap, he also went on to look amused as he initially looked unimpressed with the reporter, before raising his eyebrows and then laughing.
