The White House directed social media criticism at CNN senior White House correspondent Kristen Holmes following an exchange in the Oval Office during which she posed a question to President Trump. Holmes had asked Trump to respond to remarks made by Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff during a Sunday speech. Ossoff’s comments referenced Trump’s relationship with Natalie Harp, the president’s executive assistant, questioning his focus and referencing a private aircraft.
When Holmes posed the question, Trump dismissed her by characterizing Ossoff as a “Pee-wee Herman lookalike.” The White House’s official rapid response account subsequently posted video of the interaction and directed harsh language at Holmes, describing her as an “embarrassment” and characterizing her question as a “cheap shot” at White House staff. Additional posts from the White House criticized Holmes personally, stating that her children would someday be “sickened and embarrassed” by her conduct.
During the Oval Office event itself, Trump told Holmes to be quiet multiple times, labeled her reporting as “fake news,” and prevented her from continuing to ask questions. CNN issued a statement defending Holmes as a respected journalist who had asked a “tough, relevant, and newsworthy question,” noting that while public officials may challenge reporting, personal attacks on journalists conflict with free press principles. Other media figures also expressed support for Holmes.
White House communications leadership also directed insulting language toward Ossoff in response to his Sunday remarks. Trump’s history includes prior instances of aggressive responses to female journalists asking challenging questions, according to reporting on his past interactions with members of the press corps.
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