President Donald Trump had another combative Saturday with the press.
First, he told a female reporter to “be quiet” after she pressed him about his administration’s escalating fight with news organizations.
Then, when asked about former President Barack Obama’s suggestion that governments might be better off with women in charge, Trump slammed the idea as “ridiculous.”
Trump made the remarks Saturday outside the White House before leaving for Tennessee to attend the University of Tennessee-Texas football game.
The first exchange came when MS NOW White House correspondent Akayla Gardner asked Trump whether he wanted only news outlets that support him to be part of the White House press pool.
The question came amid a growing dispute over the administration’s treatment of CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
A federal judge had temporarily blocked the administration’s effort to bar the three outlets from the White House. But CNN was nevertheless left off Air Force One for Trump’s trip to Tennessee, with LindellTV and Real America’s Voice providing coverage instead.
Trump rejected the suggestion that he wanted a press pool made up of friendly outlets.
“No, no, no. I want real news, not fake news — like you,” Trump told Gardner.
He then launched into his familiar criticism of CNN and MS NOW, arguing that the networks were producing what he called “fake news.”
Gardner wasn’t finished.
“Do you not want tough questions?” she asked.
Trump cut her off.
“Wait, wait. Quiet,” he said, raising his index finger. Then he returned to his attack on the networks.
“What I don’t like is fake news. And they’re fake news.”
The exchange is the latest episode in Trump’s long-running and increasingly public battle with news organizations that he says treat his administration unfairly.
The administration’s recent restrictions on CNN, MS NOW and Politico have already triggered a federal lawsuit and a court fight over access to the White House.
And Trump has repeatedly directed personal attacks at female journalists.
In June, he went after CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, criticizing her appearance and demeanor while accusing CNN of false reporting.
But that wasn’t the only headline-grabbing moment.
Trump was also asked about comments Obama made earlier in the week about women in government.
Obama had offered a hypothetical: What would happen if women ran every government in the world for two years?
“I have a strong belief that things would — they wouldn’t be perfect — but they’d be better,” Obama said.
Trump’s response?
“It’s ridiculous.”
“I love women. I think they’re great. But what a ridiculous statement that is.”
Trump also touched on several other issues before heading to Tennessee.
On artificial intelligence, he said the United States would not put “brakes” on its development and again referred to the technology as “super intelligence,” a phrase he has used publicly this week.
He also urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “make a deal” to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Watch the exchange below:
