UPDATE: Lara Trump has come to her father-in-law’s defense after a controversial incident where Donald Trump reportedly called Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey “piggy” aboard Air Force One on November 13. The heated exchange has sparked intense backlash and criticism, particularly from comedian Bill Maher, who confronted Lara Trump during a recent episode of his podcast.
The confrontation arose when Lucey pressed Trump regarding the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, leading to Trump’s abrupt retort: “Quiet, piggy!” The remark has been widely condemned, with critics asserting it exemplifies Trump’s disregard for respectful discourse. Supporters, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, have rushed to defend the president, with some suggesting he actually said “Peggy” instead.
During Monday’s episode of Club Random, Maher expressed his frustration, stating Trump’s comment undermined his message about bridging divides between liberals and Trump supporters. He emphasized, “It just makes my job more difficult when, during this week, he says to a woman, ‘Piggy.’ I mean, even you must admit this is just not cool, not necessary.”
In response, Lara Trump questioned the accuracy of the remark, asking, “Do we know that happened?” as Maher insisted he had seen the footage. The back-and-forth continued with Lara laughingly suggesting alternative phrases, but Maher pressed on, highlighting the negative impact of such remarks.
Additionally, during a press briefing on Thursday, Leavitt was questioned about the “piggy” comment. She responded, “The president is very frank and honest with everyone in this room,” defending Trump’s approach as being transparent and respectful compared to previous administrations.
This incident occurs amid growing pressure on the U.S. Department of Justice to release documents related to its investigation into convicted sex trafficker Epstein. Last week, Trump signed legislation mandating the declassification of records linked to Epstein’s case within 30 days, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing discourse.
As the fallout from Trump’s remarks unfolds, political analysts and commentators are closely monitoring the situation. The implications of this exchange resonate not only within political circles but also among the public, reflecting deeper societal divides.
NEXT: As the situation develops, observers will be watching for further reactions from the Trump administration and how this incident may influence public perception leading up to the upcoming election cycle.
