Content Advisory: This article discusses a tense political exchange, war-related economic pressure, and harassment of a journalist. Reader discretion is advised.
Donald Trump’s trip to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool turned into another blowup with a reporter.
The president made an unexpected appearance at the Washington, D.C. landmark, where ABC News senior political correspondent Rachel Scott pressed him on why he was focused on beautification projects while the war in Iran was affecting gas prices. Multiple outlets reported that Trump called Scott’s question “stupid” and later called her a “horror show.”
“Mr. President, you are here against the backdrop of the war in Iran,” Scott asked. “Why focus on all these projects right now? We’re still seeing gas prices soaring?” That was all it took.
Trump Snaps At Rachel Scott Over Gas Prices Question
Trump defended the renovation work by saying he wanted to keep the country “beautiful and safe.” He then turned the answer into a rant about dirt, trash, and the state of Washington, D.C.
“You probably don’t see dirt, but I do,” Trump said, before claiming crews had removed “11 or 12 truckloads of garbage” from the water near the memorial.
Then he went after Scott directly. “That’s such a stupid question that you asked,” Trump said. “We’re fixing up the reflecting pond to the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and you say, ‘Why are you fixing it up?’” He continued, “Because you can understand dirt, maybe, better than I can, but I don’t allow it.”
Trump then called Scott “one of the worst reporters” and attacked her network, saying, “She’s with ABC fake news, and she’s a horror show.”
Critics Accuse Trump Of Dodging Gas Prices
The exchange quickly spread online, where critics accused Trump of avoiding the gas price question and turning the moment into a personal attack.
One user wrote, “Typical deflection. Insulting a reporter instead of explaining how people will afford gas is just a way to hide the fact that he has no real plan for the working class.”
Another added, “Trump dodging gas prices with a stupid question, random dirt rant. Peak deflection mode.”
According to AAA’s latest tally, gas prices were at $4.56 a gallon on Thursday, up from $4.39 the previous week and $4.16 a month earlier. Trump still claimed at the Lincoln Memorial that “gas prices are way down.” He added, “When the war is over, gas will fall down at levels that you’ve never seen before.”
Another Clash With A Female Reporter
The moment also revived criticism of Trump’s pattern of attacking female journalists during tense exchanges. Entertainment Weekly noted that Trump previously went after Scott during a 2024 National Association of Black Journalists appearance, where he challenged her questioning and criticized her tone.
The latest exchange also echoed Trump’s earlier clash with CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins. In February, Collins asked about the cost of his planned White House State Ballroom. Trump responded by attacking CNN’s ratings and calling her the “worst reporter.”
This time, the setting was different. The result was familiar. A reporter asked about gas prices and priorities during wartime. Trump answered with a defense of clean monuments, a dirt rant, and a personal attack that quickly became the story.
