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For nearly a decade, Donald Trump has frequently clashed with journalists, particularly during press conferences and television interviews. He has often accused mainstream media organisations of bias and has repeatedly labelled unfavourable coverage as fake news.
US President Donald Trump at G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Photo: Reuters)
UPDATED: Jun 17, 2026 22:50 IST
US President Donald Trump shared a light-hearted moment with reporters while seated alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, joking that foreign journalists were far kinder to him than the American media.
The exchange took place as reporters were briefly allowed into the room while Trump and PM Modi began their meeting. Amid questions on trade, diplomacy and global affairs, one reporter appeared to flatter the US President, telling him: "You are on the cusp of making history with the possible peace peace in Iran conflict."
Trump responded with a grin: "I like this guy.
Then he looked at PM Modi, and asked, "You know who this is?"
"Your reporters are much nicer than mine," he added. The remark drew laughter from those present, including PM Modi, officials, journalists and members of both delegations.
While the exchange briefly lightened the atmosphere at the G7 Summit, it also reflected Trump's long-running and often contentious relationship with the US media.
TRUMP'S BITTER FUED WITH THE US MEDIA
For nearly a decade, Trump has frequently clashed with journalists, particularly during press conferences and television interviews. He has often accused mainstream media organisations of bias and has repeatedly labelled unfavourable coverage as fake news.
Over the years, Trump has sparred with several high-profile journalists. CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins was once described by Trump as a "corrupt reporter" who had hatred in her eyes, while NBC's Kristen Welker has faced sharp criticism from him during interviews in which she pressed him on election-related claims and other contentious issues.
His exchanges have often become headline-grabbing moments in their own right. During a media interaction last year, Trump told Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey, "Quiet, Piggy", after being questioned about the release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Earlier in his political career, he also drew criticism for comments directed at former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly following a Republican primary debate.
Trump's combative relationship with the media has become one of the defining features of his career. His supporters view his attacks on the press as a challenge to what they see as an entrenched and often adversarial media establishment. Critics, however, argue that repeated efforts to discredit journalists and news organisations erode public trust in independent reporting, weaken democratic accountability and create a climate in which scrutiny of those in power is increasingly dismissed as partisan hostility.
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Published On:
Jun 17, 2026 22:50 IST
