«Stupid question»: Trump lashes out again at female reporter

Donald Trump once again lashed out aggressively at a journalist, erupting at a CNN female reporter over what he described as a «stupid question» about Iran while taking questions aboard Air Force One as he returned from his weekend stay at Mar-a-Lago. The confrontation unfolded against a backdrop of rising tensions in Iran, where protesters were rebelling against their government, drawing international attention and concern. During the exchange, Trump dismissed the reporter’s question in sharp terms, reinforcing a pattern of public hostility toward members of the press during unscripted interactions. The moment came as the president reiterated his warning that the United States would strike Iran if protesters were killed, a threat that further heightened anxiety surrounding the escalating situation and underscored the volatile context in which the verbal attack occurred.

In recent weeks, Iran has been gripped by growing nationwide unrest, with protests erupting over economic hardship, soaring inflation and mounting anger toward the country’s political leadership. In the past days, demonstrations expanded and were met with a heavy crackdown by Iranian authorities, including mass arrests, internet restrictions and reports of protesters being killed, fueling international concern. As tensions escalated, Donald Trump warned that the United States could respond forcefully if Iranian security forces continued to kill demonstrators, stating: «If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States.» Iran’s leadership rejected the warning, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responding that Trump should «pay attention to the state of his own country instead», implying that the United States should mind its own business and accusing Washington of interfering in Iran’s internal affairs.

Donald Trump once again directed a sharp and dismissive response at a female reporter, lashing out during a tense exchange that underscored his combative tone toward the press. As he was questioned by a journalist he identified as being from CNN about whether Iran took his threats seriously, specifically his warning to «hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before», Trump immediately turned confrontational. When asked, «Do you think Iran takes your threats seriously?», he snapped back, «I think so. Don’t you think so, CNN?», before repeating the question in a mocking tone, saying, «She says, CNN, Do you think they take your threat seriously?». He then defended his stance by adding, «Wouldn’t you say they do after all of the things we’ve done?», escalating the exchange as he dismissed the reporter outright and concluded with, «What a stupid question.», a remark that reinforced both the derisive tone of the encounter and a pattern of hostility toward female journalists during high-profile moments.

Donald Trump’s recent rampage against female reporters has drawn renewed attention to his repeated use of personal insults and demeaning language toward women in the press. Over a series of public appearances and exchanges, Trump has targeted several female journalists with disparaging remarks, at times focusing on their appearance, behavior or intelligence rather than their questions. He has referred to some as «Ugly», told one reporter to «Quiet Piggy», and accused another of being «insubordinate» during a tense interaction. In other moments, he labeled two different female reporters as «Stupid and Nasty» and «a stupid person», comments that were delivered publicly and without hesitation.