Trump slams ‘fresh’ reporter for interrupting his answer on Iran: 'A lot of problems with you'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump delivered a sharp rebuke to a NewsNation reporter, telling her "we’ve had a lot of problems with you" after she interrupted his explanation of US operations in Iran.

The incident occurred as President Trump was outlining his vision for a nuclear-free Iran and expressing frustration with what he described as a dishonest media landscape.

Trump rebukes reporter after interruption in briefing

The exchange began when White House correspondent Libbey Dean asked whether Iran must make a deal to end military operations and whether Trump had spoken to its new leader.

As the president began to answer, Dean interrupted him, prompting Trump to immediately push back.

"Wait a minute. Do you want me to answer the question? You’re a fresh person. You know? We’ve had a lot of problems with you, haven’t we?" he asked before returning to his point about the irrelevance of a formal deal.

Trump signals end of Iran operations soon

Trump clarified that while he has spoken to many people and found the new regime more accessible, a signed agreement is not his primary requirement for withdrawing troops.

He explained that the US will move on once it is certain the nation's nuclear capabilities have been completely neutralized.

"No, they don’t have to make a deal with me. When we feel that they are for a long period of time, put into the Stone Ages, and they won’t be able to come up with a nuclear weapon, then we’ll leave, whether we have a deal or not. It’s irrelevant," Trump stated, adding that a deal remained "possible" but not necessary.

During the briefing, President Trump indicated that the goal of ensuring Iran has no nuclear weapons has already been attained and that the US is "finishing the job" over the next few weeks.

He suggested that military actions could wrap up within two weeks, stating, "and I think, within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple a days longer, to do the job," adding, "Now, it's possible that we'll make a deal before that."

Trump slams media over trust and coverage

Turning his attention back to the press, Trump argued that the industry's negative coverage has caused a total loss of public confidence and that it was time to "straighten out our media."

"When you get 93 to 97 [percent] bad stories, bad press, and you win in a landslide, do you know what that says? People don't believe the press," Trump said. "And when people don't believe the press, that's a very bad thing for our country."