President Donald Trump engaged in a heated exchange with reporters at Palm Beach International Airport, Florida, on Sunday, November 16, 2025. He criticized one journalist as “terrible” and dismissed questions as attempts to detract from what he termed his administration’s achievements. The 79-year-old president was responding to inquiries related to the ongoing controversy over Jeffrey Epstein documents and criticism from within his party.
The confrontation began when a reporter asked Trump about comments Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, made earlier on Sunday. Massie suggested that a Justice Department investigation into Epstein documents could serve as a “smokescreen” to prevent their full disclosure. Trump’s response was immediate and combative.
“Well, I don’t want to talk about it because fake news like you, you’re a terrible reporter, and fake news like you, they just keep bringing that up to deflect from the tremendous success of the Trump administration,” Trump said. He then shifted his focus to criticizing the 54-year-old congressman.
Massie’s concerns arose from Trump’s directive on Friday to Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Epstein’s connections with prominent Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton. Speaking on ABC’s “This Week” with Jonathan Karl earlier on Sunday, Massie warned that ongoing investigations could legally obstruct document releases, suggesting the Justice Department’s actions might aim to hinder transparency rather than promote it.
The controversy has created an unusual strain within Republican ranks, particularly after Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday, urging House Republicans to vote for releasing the Epstein files. He stated that the Justice Department was examining various Democratic operatives and their relationships with Jeffrey Epstein, adding that the House Oversight Committee could access any materials they were legally entitled to. A House vote on the Epstein files is reportedly scheduled for Tuesday.
Trump’s combative mood extended beyond the Epstein questions. A second reporter interrupted the president as he responded to a question about former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson’s recent controversial interview with far-right podcaster Nick Fuentes. Trump immediately cut off the journalist with a sharp rebuke.
“Will you let me finish my statement? You are the worst,” Trump said. “You’re with Bloomberg, right? You are the worst. I don’t even know why they have you.” The president’s reference to Bloomberg suggests the reporter may have been affiliated with that news organization, though the specific identity remains unclear from available reports.
The Tucker Carlson question touched on another sensitive issue for the administration. The former cable news host has faced criticism from conservative circles for his favorable interview with Fuentes, a white nationalist figure. Trump defended Carlson’s editorial decisions, praising him for saying “good things” about the president over the years and arguing that journalists should have the freedom to interview whomever they choose.
Trump’s association with Fuentes has its own complex history. The president dined with both Fuentes and rapper Kanye West at Mar-a-Lago in 2022, an incident that generated significant controversy at the time. Trump later claimed he did not know who Fuentes was when West brought him to the private club as a guest.
Sunday’s confrontations with reporters are part of a broader pattern of contentious media relations that have characterized Trump’s political career. Presidential interactions with the press play an important democratic role, allowing journalists to question leaders and hold them accountable. When these exchanges become confrontational, they raise questions about transparency and access to information.
The timing of Trump’s outbursts is particularly notable given the increasing pressure surrounding the Epstein files. The convicted sex offender’s connections to various political and business figures have remained a topic of intense public interest, with many Americans urging full transparency regarding any documents that might illuminate those relationships. The House vote reportedly scheduled for Tuesday will test whether Republicans follow through on releasing materials that could contain politically sensitive information.
Massie’s willingness to publicly question the administration’s approach indicates that not all Republicans are prepared to accept the president’s framing of the Epstein controversy. As a frequent dissenter within the GOP-led House, Massie has established a reputation for independence that sometimes puts him at odds with party leadership.
The president’s claim that reporters are using the Epstein story to distract from his administration’s accomplishments highlights his preferred narrative: that media coverage of the controversy is politically motivated rather than a legitimate news story. This framing allows Trump to position himself as a victim of biased coverage while avoiding substantive engagement with questions about the documents and their potential release.
As the Tuesday House vote approaches, the tension between Trump’s public call to release the files and concerns that Justice Department investigations could create legal barriers to transparency remains unresolved. The outcome will indicate whether the administration’s stated support for disclosure translates into actual transparency or whether procedural obstacles will ultimately prevent the public from accessing potentially significant information about Epstein’s connections to powerful figures across the political spectrum.
