Reporter Called "Dumb," Faces Question on Renovation Costs
President Donald Trump has again directed personal insults at female reporters, most recently calling MS NOW's Akayla Gardner a "dumb person" and "not a smart person." This exchange occurred after Gardner questioned the substantial taxpayer expense associated with renovations to the White House ballroom. This incident marks at least the seventh time in under a year that Trump has publicly disparaged a female journalist.
Trump's remarks came as Gardner pressed him on the escalating costs of the ballroom project. The president's response turned confrontational, according to multiple reports. Gardner's questioning specifically touched upon renovation projects that some see as costly given current economic pressures, including inflation.
Pattern of Remarkable Confrontation
The incident with Gardner is part of a larger, documented pattern of Trump's interactions with women in the press. Reports detail similar episodes in recent months:
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In April 2026, he reportedly called Fox News' Jessica Tarlov "one of the Least Attractive and Talented People on all of Television."
In March 2026, an ABC News reporter was labeled "a very obnoxious person."
February 2026 saw CNN's Kaitlan Collins described as "the worst reporter."
An earlier January 2026 incident involved Trump attacking another CNN reporter for what he deemed a "stupid question."
In November 2025, Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey was allegedly called "piggy" on Air Force One, following a question about Jeffrey Epstein.
Also in November 2025, ABC News' Mary Bruce faced sharp criticism after questioning Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Specific Insults
"You dumb person…you are not a smart person." - President Donald Trump
Associated Questions
Cost of White House ballroom renovations
Impact of inflation on the economy
Reasons for prioritizing certain renovation projects amid high gas prices
Justification for engaging with foreign leaders regarding journalist murders
Broader Context and Criticism
Critics have pointed out that Trump's commentary, particularly towards Akayla Gardner, has sometimes echoed language he has previously used in relation to Black individuals, raising concerns about racial undertones.
The president has frequently defended his administration's financial management, stating in the case of the ballroom project that it is "on budget and under budget and ahead of schedule." However, these assurances have been overshadowed by the consistent stream of personal attacks against reporters.
The pattern of Trump's confrontations with female journalists has drawn strong reactions. Observers have characterized his behavior as "disgraceful," "disgusting," and "completely unacceptable." Some reports indicate that these outbursts occur when questioning touches upon sensitive topics, such as foreign conflicts or domestic economic issues. The president's administration has also seen scrutiny over the costs of federal projects, including renovations at the Federal Reserve Bank, with Trump himself publicly criticizing its chairman.
