A heated exchange erupted when President Donald Trump’s communications team launched a blistering attack against a White House correspondent following their questioning of the president about allegations of staff preference.
The feud began Monday after Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) suggested that Trump would rather travel with his personal assistant, Natalie Harp, than build the White House and fulfill presidential duties.
In response to the senator’s remarks, the correspondent asked: “Jon Ossoff said you’d rather travel with your aide Natalie Harp than build the ballroom and do your job as president; what is your response?”
Trump replied: “You mean Pee-wee Herman? Pee-wee Herman look-alike?” he responded. “No, I would much rather do other things,” he added. “We’re building a great facility here. We’re fixing a White House that hasn’t been taken care of.”
The president’s online rapid response team swiftly condemned the reporter, calling them “a disgraceful, humiliating embarrassment to her alleged profession” and accusing them of taking a “cheap shot” about one of Trump’s staffers.
In a follow-up social media post, the team stated: “Someday, your children will come across your disgusting and inhumane question. They will be sickened and embarrassed to have a parent be so callous and vindictive.”
A fellow White House correspondent, Alayna Treene, defended their colleague, stating that Kristen Holmes is “an incredible reporter, person and, above all, mother” who was simply performing her duties.
Steven Cheung, the president’s communications director, also posted on social media, labeling Senator Jon Ossoff “the biggest cuck loser in politics” and accusing him of being a “radical, extremist Democrat.”
The outlet that employs the reporter released a statement supporting Holmes: “Kristen Holmes is one of the most respected and accomplished journalists covering the White House. This afternoon, she did her job and asked the president of the United States a tough, relevant, and newsworthy question on behalf of the American people.”
They added: “Public officials are free to challenge reporting they disagree with, but personal attacks on journalists for asking questions are beneath the office and inconsistent with the principles of a free press.”
