President Donald Trump ignited a firestorm of criticism after telling Bloomberg White House correspondent Catherine Lucey to be “quiet, piggy” aboard Air Force One, in a viral moment tied to her probing question on the long-sealed Epstein files. The derogatory outburst, captured on video during a press gaggle Friday, has amplified accusations of misogyny against Trump, highlighting his tense history with female journalists and reigniting demands for transparency on Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking scandal.
The clip, which has surged past 8 million views on platforms like YouTube and X, shows Trump jabbing a finger at Lucey as he cuts her off mid-question about releasing the unredacted Epstein files—documents that could expose connections between Epstein and powerful figures, including past Trump associates. As public outrage swells under hashtags like #QuietPiggy and #ReleaseEpsteinFiles, the incident underscores the administration’s stonewalling on the files, even as congressional Democrats push for their declassification ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The Shocking Exchange: Trump Says ‘Quiet, Piggy’ to Female Reporter on Epstein Files
The confrontation erupted during a cramped press briefing on Air Force One, returning from a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Catherine Lucey, a respected female journalist and Bloomberg reporter with deep roots in political coverage, had just followed up on a colleague’s query about the Trump administration’s refusal to unseal the full Epstein files.
“Mr. President, with lawsuits mounting, will you pledge to release the complete Epstein files this session?” Lucey asked calmly, her notebook in hand. Trump’s response was swift and cutting: He leaned forward, pointed aggressively, and barked, “Quiet! Quiet, piggy—we’re not entertaining conspiracy theories from the fake news today.” The room went quiet as he shifted to boasting about his latest Saudi Arabia deal, leaving reporters exchanging stunned glances.
The video, first circulated via the White House press pool by CBS News, exploded online within minutes. Viewers were quick to decry the gendered insult—”piggy” evoking demeaning tropes used to silence women—as a blatant example of Trump told a woman quiet piggy. Celebrities like Alyssa Milano and politicians including Sen. Elizabeth Warren condemned it on X, with Warren tweeting: “This isn’t 1950. Women journalists deserve respect, not ridicule—especially when holding power accountable on the Epstein files.”
Trump supporters, however, framed it as “tough love” against persistent media “gotchas,” with some Truth Social posts mocking Lucey as part of the “deep state press.”
Why the Epstein Files Question Hit a Nerve: Trump’s Deflection and the Scandal’s Shadow
The Epstein files remain a powder keg in American politics, containing depositions, flight logs, and evidence from Epstein’s 2019 arrest that implicated elites across industries. Trump’s past ties to Epstein—social events at Mar-a-Lago and a 2002 quote calling him a “terrific guy”—have fueled speculation about what’s being withheld. Despite promises of transparency during his 2024 campaign, the administration has cited “national security” to delay release, prompting bipartisan frustration.
Lucey‘s question struck at this vulnerability, coming amid fresh lawsuits from Epstein victims demanding access. Critics argue Trump’s “quiet, piggy” retort was less about policy and more about evasion, fitting a pattern where he dismisses uncomfortable probes with personal attacks. Media analysts note the files could reveal more on Epstein’s enablers, potentially embarrassing Trump allies, making Lucey‘s persistence a direct threat.
Catherine Lucey: The Tenacious Female Journalist Trump Targeted
Catherine Lucey, 42, is no stranger to White House heat. A Chicago native and Northwestern journalism alum, she’s covered politics for outlets like Politico and The Washington Post before joining Bloomberg as White House correspondent. Known for her measured yet unrelenting style, Lucey has broken stories on everything from COVID origins to January 6 fallout.
In response to the incident, Lucey told colleagues: “My focus is the facts—the Epstein files matter to victims and the public. Name-calling changes nothing.” Her resilience has turned her into an overnight symbol for women in media, with the Women’s Media Center launching a #PressOn campaign in solidarity.
This isn’t Trump’s first clash with female journalists; echoes of his 2015 “blood coming out of her wherever” jab at Megyn Kelly linger. The International Women’s Media Foundation reports over 60 such incidents since 2015, often amplifying gendered barbs to deflect scrutiny.
Fallout and Future: Will ‘Quiet, Piggy’ Force Action on Epstein Files?
The White House has dodged direct comment, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre calling it a “frustrated exchange” over “sensitive topics.” But pressure is mounting: House Democrats plan a hearing next week on the Epstein files, and women’s rights groups demand an apology from Trump.
As Google searches for “Trump quiet piggy” and “Epstein files” skyrocket—up 1,500% in 24 hours—this could dent Trump’s image among suburban women voters key to 2026. For Catherine Lucey and her peers, it’s a rallying cry: The press won’t be silenced.
