Donald Trump Flies Off the Handle When Female Reporter Won’t Back Down, Then His Own Words Come Back to Bite Him

President Donald Trump has once again faced criticism over the way he speaks to female journalists who ask him difficult questions. Over the years, Trump has been accused of interrupting women reporters, speaking over them, insulting them and trying to dismiss their questions when he does not like what they are asking.

A similar moment happened during a press briefing in the Oval Office on Thursday. PBS White House correspondent Liz Landers questioned Trump about whether his government would take stronger action against Chinese banks accused of doing business with Iran.

The discussion began with questions about Russia and China continuing to have business links with Iran. The United States has introduced strict financial restrictions against Tehran as part of an effort to pressure the Iranian government to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring an end to the ongoing conflict.

Iran depends heavily on China and Russia as important markets for its oil. This has led to questions about whether the Trump administration is willing to punish countries and businesses that continue helping Iran financially.

Landers asked Trump whether he would take action against Russian President Vladimir Putin or Russia if those business links continued. Trump quickly interrupted her and said any decision would depend on the situation.

He claimed that Russia had behaved reasonably well concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Trump then argued that countries regularly spy on one another and suggested that the United States also carries out similar activities against China.

“Someone is saying about China, ‘What about China? We hear they’re spying.’ We spy on them too. That’s the way it goes,” Trump said while moving his hands and raising his arms.

However, Landers continued with her questions and asked why Trump had not placed restrictions on Chinese banks doing business with Iran.

Trump appeared irritated and interrupted her again. He challenged the way she had asked the question and insisted that she did not know whether he was already planning to take action.

“Who says I’m not?” Trump replied. “You don’t know if I’m doing it. I don’t have to announce everything, do I?”

The exchange quickly attracted attention on social media, where critics accused Trump of becoming defensive because he had been asked a question he was not expecting.

One social media user suggested that Trump appeared to have been caught off guard. Another person said Trump seemed to believe that people could only know about government action if he publicly announced it.

A different commenter joked that Trump often announces plans that he does not eventually carry out, so remaining silent about possible sanctions did not prove that any action was being prepared.

Another person simply described his response as immature.

This was not the first time Trump had been criticised for the way he responded to a female journalist. Only a few weeks earlier, he became angry with CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes after she questioned him about military exercises involving the United States and South Korea. The White House later made comments about her children on social media, which also attracted criticism.

Trump reportedly called another female journalist “stupid” last month after she asked questions he did not like. He has also commented publicly about CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins, saying she does not smile enough.

In another controversial exchange last year, Trump ordered Bloomberg News journalist Catherine Lucey to be quiet and used an insulting name while speaking to her.

The latest argument came as attention remained focused on China’s connections with Iran and its purchase of Iranian oil. It also happened shortly after the US Justice Department admitted that Chinese hackers had gained access to several American government agencies and businesses.

According to CNN, the hacking operation began in 2018 and continued into this year. The organisations reportedly affected included the Justice Department, the Department of Energy, the Federal Reserve, NASA and the US Senate.

Utilities, hospitals, military computer systems and defence companies were also reportedly targeted. However, the full amount of damage caused by the cyberattacks is still unknown.

Despite these concerns, Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appear cautious about placing sanctions directly on Chinese banks. Such a decision could create another serious dispute between Washington and Beijing and increase trade tensions between the two countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to travel to Washington next month for a meeting with Trump. The planned visit could be one reason the administration is being careful about taking action that might damage relations before the talks begin.

However, Politico reported that Trump has already approved sanctions against some Chinese oil refineries, shipping businesses, purchasing networks and other organisations accused of supporting Iran’s economy.

The argument with Landers has therefore raised two major questions. One is whether Trump will eventually take stronger action against Chinese banks connected to Iran. The other is whether the president’s angry response was simply an attempt to avoid giving a clear answer to a difficult question.