‘Idiot’: Trump Loses It Under Pressure Over Iran, Gets Tongue-Tied, Then Explodes at Reporter and Abruptly Ends Briefing When She Won’t Back Down
President Donald Trump hates it when women journalists ask him hard questions. He despises it even more when they press him for answers.
Once again, he snapped at a female reporter Tuesday during a press gaggle in the Oval Office when he didn’t like the query.
An irate Trump lashed out, calling the question “stupid” as tensions ramp up again between the president and Iran after weeks of relative quiet.
“Have you ruled out using a nuclear weapon against Iran?” NewsNation White House correspondent Libbey Dean asked.
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“I would never say that, but the answer is yes. I ruled that, I rule,” Trump said, beginning to slur his words, apparently trying to say he ruled that out, before managing to say, “There’s no reason for it.”
“What a stupid question that is actually,” a furious Trump shot back.
Then he cut her off again as she tried to follow up. “They are, they’re totally defeated militarily. So now I defeat them, and I should use a nuclear weapon on top of them?”
He then angrily repeated, “What a stupid question.”
He became so enraged by Dean’s question that he abruptly ended the press gaggle.
He has not “totally defeated” Tehran. He has, however, declared victory against the Islamic Republic repeatedly since launching the deadly and unapproved war on Feb. 28.
Dean’s question follows renewed air strikes on Iran Sunday and again on Tuesday after the U.S. said the regime went after ships in the contested Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime oil shipping route. The U.S. also said Tehran went after American troops in the region, according to The Associated Press.
The AP also reported, according to Iranian state media, the regime started a retaliatory operation Tuesday, firing missiles and drones at U.S. and allied targets.
Social media erupted, condemning Trump and praising the reporter for standing her ground.
“The walking contradiction has spoken,” a Threads user stated. “Idiot,” another said.
Another said Trump is the “stupid” one.
“Well, that was a mightily stupid answer to match.”
This poster agreed, “A hit dog will always holler. His defensiveness is very telling.”
Other commenters noted that Trump recently posted a clip showing a missile attack on Iran’s Kharg Island.
“Yet, Trump shared an AI image of a nuclear bombing of Iran the other day. He’s a mad man who loves cruelty. It’s a valid question.”
On Sunday, Trump actually shared a post. It was not of a nuclear attack on Iran, but an AI-generated video of missile strikes on oil facilities and a tanker on Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil-exporting hub.
The tense exchange between Trump and Dean follows the president declaring once again that he has won his war on Iran, crowing “Mission Accomplished.”
Just last week he posted a meme showing fighter jets and American flags, with a strong-looking Trump staring intensely at the viewer. In the bottom left is a depiction of former President George W. Bush with a sign saying, “Mission Accomplished 2001-2021.” On the bottom right, another sign reads, “ Mission Accomplished 2026.”
Trump has repeatedly declared he’s won his war with Iran, even as he acknowledges fighting will continue “as long as necessary.” Iran continues to contest the Strait of Hormuz, and negotiations with Tehran remain deadlocked.
