Fact Check: Did Trump use an expletive against ABC News’ Rachel Scott at briefing?

WASHINGTON, DC: A claim on social media alleged that US President Donald Trump called ABC News senior political correspondent Rachel Scott a slur during a visit to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, where he was viewing progress on a controversial effort to repaint the landmark blue.

The allegation stemmed from a video showing Trump delivering remarks and answering reporters’ questions during the visit. But did he actually say it? Here’s a fact check of the claim.

Claim: Trump allegedly used an expletive while criticizing ABC News reporter Rachel Scott

“Trump later called this same reporter, Rachel Scott of ABC, a ‘bitch,’” one X user claimed while sharing a clip from the May 7 briefing.

Donald Trump has previously faced scrutiny for his critical remarks toward journalists during press briefings. The rumor in question originated from a May 7, 2026, video in which Trump delivered remarks and answered questions from reporters after visiting the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, where maintenance work was underway.

On May 7, an X user shared a clip allegedly showing Trump using an expletive, alongside another widely circulated video in which he referred to ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott as “one of the worst reporters” and described her question as “stupid.” The user’s caption further claimed that Trump called Scott a derogatory term.

The claim quickly spread across platforms including Instagram, Reddit, and X, with multiple users amplifying the allegation. A YouTube video also contributed to the misinformation by using a misleading thumbnail suggesting Trump pointed at a white female reporter and used an insult, despite Scott being Black.

Fact Check: No verified evidence supports claim Trump insulted Rachel Scott

However, the online posts did not provide conclusive evidence to support the accusation against Trump. There is no indication that he called Scott a derogatory term. A review of a higher-quality recording of the press briefing, beginning around the 13:59 mark, suggests that Trump’s mouth movements are more consistent with the phrase, “He’s a big shot,” though the exact wording remains unclear.

Since there is no confirmed audio or transcript verifying what was said or to whom it was directed, the claim remains unverified. In the footage, Trump appeared to point forward and slightly toward the camera, a direction that did not align with Rachel Scott’s position. This differed from an earlier exchange in which Trump turned to his right to respond directly to Scott, who was standing to the left of the camera.

Getty Images records also confirmed Scott’s position, showing she was seated several places to the left of the camera operator. Additionally, an ABC News Live YouTube video from earlier that day, around the 2:09:40 mark, showed Scott wearing the same pink outfit seen in those images.

Scott has not publicly referenced the alleged slur. In her Instagram and TikTok posts, she instead described the encounter as an “unexpected trip,” sharing her question and Trump’s response.

In an X post, Scott wrote that she asked the president about his focus on infrastructure projects amid international tensions and rising gas prices. She noted that Trump called her question “stupid” and a “disgrace to the country,” while saying he was “fixing” the reflecting pool.

Trump and Scott previously drew attention in July 2024 during an event involving Black journalists. At that time, Trump criticized the tone of her questioning, saying she asked it in a “horrible manner” and describing her introduction as “very rude.”