Claiming that Donald Trump has called for the revocation of ABC’s broadcast license, the president expressed outrage at an ABC reporter questioning him about the unreleased files of infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a former associate.
“You’re a terrible reporter,” Trump remarked to Mary Bruce, the ABC News White House correspondent.
The president expressed dissatisfaction with Bruce’s “attitude.”
“You should return to learn the fundamentals of reporting. No more inquiries from you,” Trump stated during their Oval Office meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia.
This outburst occurred just ahead of the House of Representatives’ overwhelming vote to mandate that the Department of Justice disclose all records associated with Epstein.
Previously, the DOJ had refused to release these documents this year, going against earlier assurances from Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials from the Trump administration.
Trump doesn’t have to wait for Congress to enact a bill; he can instruct the DOJ to unveil more Epstein files.
“Why delay Congress in disclosing the Epstein documents?” Bruce questioned the president. “Why not take action now?”
Trump responded, “Regarding the Epstein documents … I have no involvement with” him.
“I expelled him from my club many years back because I deemed him a sick pervert,” Trump stated, referring to his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.
“People recognize your hoax,” the president declared to the journalist. “Your pathetic company is among the culprits.”
“And let me tell you,” Trump added. “I believe ABC’s license should be revoked. Your news is so fabricated and erroneous.”
“We have an excellent commissioner … who should evaluate that,” he continued, seemingly alluding to Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, tasked with overseeing broadcast licenses.
In September, Carr threatened ABC’s broadcasting license following remarks by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“We can approach this easily or with difficulty,” Carr stated during a podcast at that time. “These companies can modify their conduct, take action regarding Kimmel, or be prepared for more work ahead for the FCC.”
Hours after Carr’s comments, ABC halted “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
The show returned to the air about a week later following backlash against ABC and its parent company, Disney.
Trump has consistently characterized the Epstein issue as a “hoax” initiated by Democrats, despite the fact that members of Trump’s Make America Great Again movement were prominent proponents for unveiling the files.
Additionally, Trump couldn’t persuade his Republican allies in Congress against backing the initiative to disclose the files.
On Sunday night, as prospects for the Epstein bill’s passage improved, Trump unexpectedly altered his stance and encouraged his GOP colleagues to support the initiative.
On Monday, Trump indicated that he would endorse the bill should Congress approve it.
Trump and Epstein had maintained a long friendship until a fallout occurred years before Epstein’s suicide in prison in August 2019, following his arrest on federal child sex trafficking allegations.
Last week, the House Oversight Committee published emails revealing Epstein’s communications regarding Trump.
In one email from 2019, Epstein asserted that Trump “was aware of the girls.”
