Trump explodes at ABC reporter over Epstein question, says network’s 'license should be taken away'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump erupted at an ABC News reporter on Tuesday, November 18, after being asked why he won’t unilaterally release the Jeffrey Epstein files.
“It’s not the question that I mind. It’s your attitude. I think you are a terrible reporter,” Trump snapped at Rachel Scott, ABC’s correspondent. He then escalated further and said, “ABC’s license should be taken away. The FCC chairman should take a look at them.”
Trump insists he had 'nothing to do' with Epstein
Trump again attempted to distance himself from Epstein.
“As far as the Epstein files, I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick p******t,” he said.
Trump then lashed out at Democrats by claiming that he had recently seen information about Epstein’s political donations.
“Now I just got a little report, and I put it in my pocket. Of all the money that he’s given to Democrats, he gave me, none, zero, no money to me, but he gave money to Democrats,” the president claimed.
Another reporter, Mary Bruce, pressed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the reported US intelligence finding that he approved the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi.
Right then, Trump interjected sharply and said, “Who are you with?!” When she replied, “ABC,” the president fired back, “Fake news! ABC fake news, one of the worst in the business.”
But Trump answered a question directed towards him regarding his family business in Saudi Arabia and launched into a broad defense of his family’s dealings.
“I have nothing to do with the family business. I have left. … What my family does is fine. They do business all over,” he stated.
The president added that any Saudi-related business activity was “very little” and “very good.”
Trump dismisses question on Jamal Khashoggi's killing
Trump also dismissed a question on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, describing him as “extremely controversial” and suggesting that the topic was raised only to embarrass the Saudi Crown Prince.
“You’re mentioning somebody who was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman,” Trump claimed in the Oval Office. “Whether you liked him or didn’t like him, things happen, but he knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that.”
Trump repeated that sentiment moments later, insisting that the crown prince was uninvolved. “He knew nothing about it… You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that,” the president said.
Responding to the question, Mohammed bin Salman called Khashoggi’s killing “painful” and “a huge mistake,” defending Saudi Arabia’s handling of the investigation.
