Trump Clashes With ABC’s Mary Bruce Over MBS Questions, Even Threatens Network’s Broadcast License
WASHINGTON — In a heated Oval Office exchange on Tuesday, President Donald Trump lashed out at ABC News and its chief White House correspondent, Mary Bruce, after she pressed him on sensitive topics ranging from his family’s business dealings with Saudi Arabia to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein case.
A Tense Exchange in the Oval Office
The confrontation unfolded during Trump’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), a figure under intense scrutiny following U.S. intelligence reports concluding he approved the 2018 assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Bruce asked pointedly whether Trump’s family’s business interests in Saudi Arabia posed a conflict of interest, and if the president would address the Khashoggi killing directly with the crown prince.
Trump responded with characteristic bluntness, accusing ABC News of being “one of the perpetrators” of “fake news.”
“People are wise to your hoax,” Trump said. “Your crappy company is one of the perpetrators. And I’ll tell you something, I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and is so wrong. And we have a great commissioner, a chairman, who should look at that.”
Despite his initial rebuke, Trump ultimately addressed Bruce’s question, distancing himself from his family’s business activities.
“I have nothing to do with the family business. I have left and I’ve devoted 100% of my energy [to running this country],” Trump said. “What my family does is fine. They do business all over. They’ve done very little in Saudi Arabia, actually, though I’m sure they can do a lot, and anything they’ve done has been very good.”
Defending the Crown Prince
Bruce’s line of questioning shifted to the Khashoggi case, referencing U.S. intelligence’s conclusion of MBS’s involvement. Trump defended the crown prince, downplaying the controversy.
“You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial … A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman,” Trump said, referring to Khashoggi. “Things happen, but [MBS] knew nothing about it. And would you leave it at that? You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question.”
Epstein Case and Media Criticism
Bruce also brought up the Jeffrey Epstein case, questioning why Trump called on Congress to release Epstein files instead of acting himself. The president doubled down on his criticism of the network.
“… Fake news. ABC fake news, one of the worst, one of the worst in the business,” he said.
Trump clarified that it was not the questions themselves that bothered him, but Bruce’s “attitude.”
“I think you are a terrible reporter. It’s the way you ask these questions,” Trump said.
The Broader Implications
The exchange highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the press, particularly when it comes to questions of transparency, accountability, and foreign influence. Trump’s threat to pull ABC’s broadcast license underscores his combative approach to media criticism, raising concerns among press freedom advocates about the use of regulatory power to silence critical reporting.
Mary Bruce, as ABC’s chief White House correspondent, has built a reputation for tenacious questioning—a style that, as seen in this exchange, can provoke strong reactions from the president.
ABC News did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Conclusion
The Oval Office confrontation between Trump and Bruce is emblematic of the broader struggle between journalists seeking answers on matters of public interest and a president who frequently pushes back against what he deems “fake news.” As questions about foreign influence, human rights, and unresolved scandals persist, moments like these underscore the importance of a free press willing to ask difficult questions—even in the face of presidential rebuke.
