Former US President Donald Trump clashed with ABC News correspondent Mary Bruce during a White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The confrontation erupted when Bruce asked whether business dealings between Trump’s family organisation and Saudi partners created a conflict of interest. Trump denied any involvement with the Trump Organisation, which his two eldest sons currently run.
Bruce then questioned the Crown Prince about the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. She noted that US intelligence believes he approved the operation. Trump interrupted and labelled ABC as “fake news,” saying Bruce had embarrassed their guest.
The tension grew when Bruce later asked about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Congress had just voted to release documents linked to the case. Trump said he had no ties to Epstein and again attacked Bruce personally. He criticised her tone and called ABC a “crappy company.”
Trump also suggested that US broadcast regulators should consider reviewing ABC’s license. His confrontation came days after another incident with Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey. On Air Force One, Trump had called her “piggy” when she questioned him about the unreleased Epstein material. CNN’s Jake Tapper condemned the remark as unacceptable.
