UPDATE: Lara Trump is facing fierce criticism after defending her father-in-law, Donald Trump, who called a reporter “piggy” during a heated exchange on November 13. The incident, which occurred aboard Air Force One, has sparked outrage from many, including comedian Bill Maher, who confronted Lara on his podcast.
During a tense moment with Bloomberg White House correspondent Catherine Lucey, Trump snapped back, “Quiet, piggy!” after Lucey pressed him on the release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. This remark has drawn backlash from various critics who argue it reflects poorly on the president’s demeanor towards women.
On Maher’s podcast episode released Monday, he criticized Trump’s comment, stating it undermined his efforts to promote unity among families, including those with differing political views. Maher emphasized, “It just makes my job more difficult when, during this week, he says to a woman, ‘Piggy.’ I mean, even you must admit this is just not cool, not necessary.”
Lara Trump questioned whether her father-in-law actually used the term, asking, “Do we know that happened?” Maher quickly countered, “I saw it on tape a thousand times.” Lara, laughing, suggested he might have said “McGee,” attempting to downplay the incident.
In a press briefing last Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump, asserting that he is “very frank and honest” with reporters. Leavitt stated, “He calls out fake news when he sees it,” claiming that this transparency is one of the reasons he was re-elected. She emphasized that Trump provides journalists with “unprecedented access,” countering claims of disrespect.
The fallout from Trump’s remark comes amid intensifying scrutiny as the U.S. Department of Justice faces pressure to publicly release documents related to its investigation into Epstein. Just last week, Trump signed legislation mandating the declassification of all records associated with Epstein within 30 days, including details about his 2019 death in federal custody.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Trump’s supporters remain divided. Some claim he did not call Lucey “piggy,” but rather “Peggy,” while others insist that the incident is being exaggerated by critics.
With public sentiment swirling, this incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the media, as well as the broader implications for political discourse in the U.S. As discussions continue, all eyes will be on how this impacts Trump’s standing within the Republican Party and among his base.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more details emerge.
