By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a recent social media post, Donald Trump labeled New York Times reporter Katie Rogers “ugly, both inside and out.” This attack followed a story by the Times that suggested his age was impacting his travel schedule. This incident is reminiscent of his previous remark aboard Air Force One where he called a Bloomberg correspondent “Piggy”. The White House has defended his remarks, citing a lack of trust in the media and the President’s transparency.
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Trump Calls Female New York Times Reporter ‘Ugly, Both Inside and Out’ Less Than 2 Weeks After ‘Piggy’ Remark on Air Force One.
So, here we are again, staring down another instance of what seems to be a tragically familiar pattern. Donald Trump, a man who has held the highest office in the land, has once again turned to personal attacks, this time targeting a female journalist. The target this time around is Katie Rogers, a New York Times reporter, who was called “ugly, both inside and out” in a Truth Social post. This follows closely on the heels of another incident where he reportedly used the demeaning term “piggy” on Air Force One. It’s a stark reminder of the consistent, and frankly, appalling, way he interacts with women, especially those in the media who dare to report critically on his actions.
It’s hard not to be struck by the brazenness of these comments. It seems he’s quite comfortable with these types of insults. Less than two weeks after the “piggy” remark, he lashes out with more personal attacks. It’s not just the words themselves, but the context in which they are used. He’s reacting to a news story that he dislikes and chooses to attack the reporter’s appearance and character. It’s a deflection, a way to discredit the messenger rather than address the substance of the reporting. This kind of behavior doesn’t just show a lack of respect; it actively fosters a hostile environment, especially for women in journalism.
There’s an undeniable level of projection at play here, and it’s almost too obvious to ignore. The man criticizing others for their appearance while he presents a distinctive physical presence, with the orange skin and combover, it’s just plain laughable. The irony seems lost on him, of course. His words reveal far more about his own insecurities than they do about the people he attacks. Many believe it’s also a clear sign of a declining mental state. These outbursts, the constant need to belittle and demean, they often signal a loss of control, a reliance on bullying tactics because, perhaps, there is little else to offer.
The responses and reactions to these attacks are also revealing. The fact that this kind of behavior isn’t shocking anymore speaks volumes about how desensitized we’ve become. This is not normal behavior for a leader. But it’s even worse when we remember that some people will likely defend these actions as ‘telling it like it is.’ Or, on the other extreme, will dismiss them as nothing. The fact that the Republican party still rallies behind this behavior just shows how far it’s fallen from grace.
And what about the role of the media in all of this? Some argue that reporters need to clap back, to not give him the platform he craves by allowing these insults to go unchallenged. While others suggest it’s more about documenting the behavior, calling out the hypocrisy and the blatant disregard for basic human decency. There is no easy answer, but it’s clear that the current approach isn’t working to curb these kinds of attacks. In fact, it seems to be emboldening him, and reinforcing the idea that there are no real consequences for his words or actions.
It’s also worth noting the political context. This is the same man who’s now running for president again. His words, his behavior, will undoubtedly be scrutinized and analyzed. These constant controversies, the ongoing investigations, and now the persistent personal attacks against anyone who dares to question or criticize him. The idea of him potentially returning to the White House raises serious questions about the kind of country we want to be.
The implications are far-reaching. It’s about more than just the insults thrown at one reporter. It’s about setting a tone, about normalizing this kind of behavior. It’s about the erosion of civility and the descent into a political arena where personal attacks and bullying tactics are seen as acceptable. This is a very real problem and it’s one that will continue to challenge us as a society, regardless of the outcome of any election.