Karoline Leavitt Defends Trump’s ‘Quiet, Piggy’ Insult | EUROtoday

In the aftermath of President Donald Trump calling a reporter “piggy,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt advised to journalists Thursday that they need to be grateful he seems to be them within the eye and insults them.

“I think the president being frank and open and honest to your faces rather than hiding behind your backs is, frankly, a lot more respectful than what you saw in the last administration, where you had a president who lied to your faces and didn’t speak to you for weeks,” she mentioned.

Leavitt was responding to a reporter who requested throughout Thursday’s press briefing what Trump meant when he informed Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey to be “quiet, piggy” onboard Air Force One. The incident befell Friday however wasn’t publicized till this week.

Trump, Leavitt mentioned, is solely a “very frank and honest” man. She referred to his frankness three extra instances in a few minute.

“It’s one of the many reasons the American people reelected this president, because of his frankness,” she claimed.

Leavitt additionally advised reporters are in charge for riling up the president.

“He calls out fake news when he sees it,” she mentioned. “He gets frustrated with reporters when you lie about him, when you spread fake news about him and his administration.”

Trump lobbed the “piggy” insult at Lucey after she requested him in regards to the risk that he may very well be incriminated in information his Justice Department has on the late youngster intercourse predator Jeffrey Epstein. The incident was captured on video, exhibiting Trump wagging his finger at Lucey as she stands off-screen.

Ahead of Leavitt’s remarks, the White House issued a press release slamming Lucey.

“This reporter behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way toward her colleagues on the plane,” the assertion mentioned. “If you’re going to give it, you have to be able to take.”