Donald Trump slammed an ABC reporter who asked about the war in Iran and rising gas prices, as the president marvelled over his Washington DC makeover.
President Trump clashed with ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott during remarks on May 8, after she pressed him on why he was emphasizing construction and restoration projects in the middle of major international and domestic concerns.
“We are against the backdrop of the war with Iran, why focus on all these projects now?,” the reporter asked before she was cut off by the republican leader.
“Because I wanna keep our country beautiful and safe,” he responded, launching into a furious outburst.
The moment unfolded near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, where Trump was discussing a series of changes he wants to make around the city.
Among the proposals, Trump has said he wants to ‘beautify’ the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) by painting the exterior, with White House staff estimating the work at about $7.5 million.
The exchange comes as attention remains focused on the Iran ceasefire and the impact of rising gas prices.
During the same appearance, Trump argued that parts of the nation’s capital had become ‘filthy,’ singling out the National Mall’s pool area.
He claimed cleanup crews removed ‘11 or 12 truckloads of garbage’ from the water near the memorials.
After that, the president directed his frustration at Scott, after suggesting her question was a ‘stupid one’.
“This is one of the worst reporters,” he added, “She’s with ABC fake news and she’s a horror show.”
Donald Trump snaps at an ABC reporter asking about the Iran war and gas prices.
🎥: C-SPAN pic.twitter.com/vUPpxZ9bbt
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 8, 2026
The president continued: “Beauty made our country. People made our country great.”
The pair have had tense moments before, with Trump previously criticizing Scott during an exchange earlier this year.
Back in January, Trump took aim at the ABC journalist as he claimed: “She hasn’t asked me a good question in years.”
The broader push for renovations fits with Trump’s stated goal of leaving a lasting mark on the capital, though several proposals have faced legal challenges that could affect whether they move forward.
While speaking with reporters, Trump was also asked about plans for a White House ballroom, which he argued is being pursued for security reasons.
The ballroom’s original projected price tag was said to be $400 million, though reports have suggested the total for expanded work could climb as high as $1 billion.
“That’s for many other projects having to do with safety in a certain section of the White House grounds, that’s not all for the ballroom,” Trump said.
He added: “We’re putting up $400 million to do the ballroom section of the ballroom. We are putting that up privately. I am doing it along with other patriots that love our country.”