You're the worst," President Donald Trump snapped at ABC’s Rachel Scott on Thursday as she attempted to ask questions about his proposed stimulus payments and tariff refund checks. Video of the exchange, filmed on the tarmac before Trump's departure from Dallas, quickly spread across social media, putting a spotlight once again on Trump’s often-combative relationship with female members of the press. While the president has a long history of clashing with journalists of all backgrounds, several of his most high-profile confrontations during his second term have involved female reporters.
The latest exchange with Scott comes after CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes was targeted by the White House's Rapid Response 47 account in August following a question about Trump aide Natalie Harp. "This is not the first time that Trump has spoken in an aggressive way to a woman in her role as a journalist, and it is certainly not the first time we have seen him dismiss women," Amy Tatum, a lecturer in communications and media at Bournemouth Media School, told Newsweek. Tatum said Thursday's exchange appeared to mark "an escalation" because Trump not only verbally dismissed Scott but also moved toward her as she continued asking questions.
"He physically dismisses her with his hand gestures but then proceeds to take a step towards her and leans closer in order to get her to stop talking," she said. "This fits the pattern of his behavior, but it also represents a new, even more aggressive level of behavior." Newsweek reached out to ABC and the White House via email for comment. Rachel Scott is a senior political correspondent for ABC News who covers the White House, Congress and national politics.
She has reported extensively on presidential campaigns, elections and major developments in Washington, frequently questioning top administration officials and lawmakers on policy and political issues. She has been one of ABC's most visible reporters covering Trump's second term and has participated in numerous White House press events, campaign appearances and media briefings. Her reporting has often focused on issues including the economy, foreign policy, government spending and political accountability.
The exchange occurred as Trump spoke with reporters before departing Dallas on Thursday. Scott asked: “On the checks, we have $40 trillion in debt. If your economic policies are working, why do you need an incentive for people to turn out to vote?” “I'm doing it as a reward for people having to put up for five years and four years of a horrible situation caused by Biden,” Trump replied.
As Scott continued: “You also offered tariff refund checks—,” she was cut off by the president who said: “Not you. You’re the worst.” Footage of the interaction quickly spread across social media, with clips generating hundreds of thousands of views within hours and drawing fresh attention to Trump's contentious relationship with journalists. This is not the first clash between the two.
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