The White House has issued a defensive response to President Donald Trump‘s viral “quiet, piggy” remark directed at Bloomberg White House correspondent Catherine Lucey, framing the outburst as a justified reaction to “unprofessional” behavior amid questions about the Epstein files. The statement, coming just days after the Friday incident aboard Air Force One, has only intensified backlash over perceived sexism, with critics slamming it as tone-deaf and emblematic of Trump’s combative style toward female reporters.
The exchange, which exploded online with millions of views under hashtags like #QuietPiggy and #WhiteHouseResponse, occurred as Lucey pressed Trump on the administration’s ongoing refusal to release unredacted Epstein files—documents central to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking scandal that continue to fuel demands for accountability from victims and lawmakers alike. As the controversy simmers ahead of potential congressional hearings, the White House response has shifted focus from the insult to alleged media misconduct, drawing sharp rebukes from journalists and advocacy groups.
The ‘Quiet, Piggy’ Incident: Trump’s Snap at Lucey Over Epstein Files Query
The tense moment unfolded last Friday during a press gaggle on Air Force One, en route from a Pennsylvania rally back to Washington. Catherine Lucey, a seasoned female reporter and Bloomberg‘s White House correspondent, was mid-question when Trump interrupted her sharply. Building on a colleague’s probe into the sealed Epstein files, Lucey asked: “If there’s nothing incriminating in the files, sir, why not—” before Trump cut her off, pointing accusatorily and retorting, “Quiet! Quiet, piggy.”
The clip, first reported by CBS News via the White House pool, quickly went viral, amassing over 7 million views across YouTube and X within 48 hours. It highlighted Trump’s frustration with persistent scrutiny over the Epstein files, which include depositions, flight logs, and evidence potentially implicating high-profile figures—some with ties to Trump’s past social circle. The administration has repeatedly cited national security concerns to block full declassification, a stance that has irked both Democrats and transparency advocates.
This wasn’t an isolated clash; just days earlier on Tuesday, Trump similarly lashed out at ABC News’ Mary Bruce during another Epstein files question, calling her “angry and mean” and barring further queries from her.
White House Response: ‘If You’re Going to Give It, You Have to Be Able to Take It’
In its first official comment on the uproar, the White House on Tuesday afternoon portrayed Lucey as the instigator, claiming she had acted “inappropriately and unprofessionally toward her colleagues” during the gaggle. An unnamed official told reporters: “If you’re going to give it, you have to be able to take it.” The statement avoided a direct apology for the “piggy” slur, instead redirecting blame to the press corps’ “obsessive” focus on the Epstein files at the expense of “real achievements” like Trump’s recent trade pacts.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, during her daily briefing, echoed the line without elaborating, saying the President’s “frustrations are understandable when questions devolve into gotchas.” The White House response has been met with skepticism, with media ethicists arguing it exemplifies a broader strategy of victim-blaming to deflect from gendered insults. Bloomberg News fired back swiftly, affirming that its journalists “perform a vital public service by asking questions without fear or favor” and remain “focused on reporting issues of public interest fairly and accurately.”
Backlash to White House Response: ‘Disgusting’ and ‘Tone-Deaf’ Criticism Pours In
The administration’s defense has amplified the outrage, with prominent voices decrying it as enabling misogyny. CNN anchor Jake Tapper called the remark “disgusting” on air, while former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson labeled the entire episode a “step backward for women in media.” CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, who has faced Trump’s barbs herself, voiced solidarity on X: “Catherine Lucey and Mary Bruce do a great job—don’t let the noise silence the questions that matter, like the Epstein files.”
The White House Correspondents’ Association has not issued a formal statement, but individual members rallied online in support of Lucey, emphasizing the chilling effect on press freedom. Women’s rights organizations, including the Women’s Media Center, demanded sensitivity training for White House staff, warning that such rhetoric “erodes trust in journalism, especially for female reporters navigating hostile environments.”
Google Trends data shows searches for “Trump quiet piggy” and “White House response” surging 1,400% since the incident, underscoring its viral staying power.
Broader Context: Trump’s Pattern of Insults Toward Women in the Press
This saga fits a long-documented pattern in Trump’s interactions with female reporters. Historical examples include his 2016 “Miss Piggy” jab at Alicia Machado, calling New York Times’ Gail Collins a “dog” with “the face of a pig” in 2012, and branding Rosie O’Donnell a “fat pig” in 2006. Advocacy groups like the International Women’s Media Foundation track over 70 such instances since 2015, often tied to deflections on sensitive topics.
As midterm pressures mount, the Epstein files remain a flashpoint, with House Democrats scheduling a briefing next week. Will the White House response quell the storm, or fuel calls for accountability? For now, Catherine Lucey stands resolute, telling Bloomberg: “The story isn’t the slur—it’s the secrets still hidden in those files.”
