FORMER PRESIDENT ESCALATES ATTACKS ON NYT FOLLOWING REPORT QUESTIONING
HIS ENERGY AND PERFORMANCE
Donald Trump sharply criticized New York Times reporter Katie Rogers, calling her “ugly, both inside and out” in a lengthy social-media post responding to a story that raised questions about his energy and health.
Former President Donald Trump ignited controversy on Wednesday after posting a blistering message on social media in which he attacked New York Times reporter Katie Rogers, calling her “a third-rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out.” The outburst was part of a longer post responding to a recent Times article that questioned whether Trump was showing signs of fatigue during public events.
Trump accused the newspaper of intentionally publishing negative stories about him and claimed Rogers was assigned to write “only bad things” about his administration. His post repeated his longstanding narrative that the Times is “failing” and “an enemy of the people,” rhetoric he frequently used during his presidency.
The New York Times has not responded directly to the personal insults, but media-ethics experts note that attacks on individual reporters can increase harassment or threats against journalists. Rogers herself has not issued a public comment on Trump’s remarks.
In his message, Trump also boasted about his electoral performance, economic accomplishments, and cognitive and physical health, framing the critical NYT report as politically motivated. His post included sweeping claims about his 2024 election win, foreign-policy successes and stock-market records.
The exchange adds to years of tension between Trump and the New York Times, which has published numerous investigations scrutinizing his behavior, policies and business dealings. Trump has repeatedly targeted reporters by name, drawing criticism from press-freedom organizations.
Political analysts say Trump’s latest comments could reignite debates about political rhetoric and the safety of journalists, especially at a moment when media distrust is at historic highs.
