US President Donald Trump on Tuesday targeted ABC News journalist Mary Bruce, calling her a “very bad reporter” and threatened to cancel the news organization’s broadcasting license after she asked sharp questions.
ABC News’ chief White House correspondent was among the reporters in the Oval Office allowed to ask questions of the US President and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Bruce asked Trump whether it was appropriate for his family to do business in Saudi Arabia while he was president. Before Trump could respond, Bruce asked the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, “American intelligence agencies have concluded that you conspired to assassinate a journalist.” The families of 9/11 victims are angry with your coming here. Why should Americans trust you? And the same question to you, President Trump.
After these questions, Trump called ABC “fake news” and defended his family’s business interests in Saudi Arabia. The president also rejected a US intelligence report that said the crown prince had some role in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Trump later criticized Bruce, saying he asked the prince “a very bad question.” When asked a question on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Trump told Bruce, “You are a bad reporter.” Your way of asking questions is wrong.
Trump said, “I think ABC’s license should be canceled because your news is very fake and inaccurate.” However, ABC News has not responded to Trump’s comments.
