Did He Say B**ch? US President Explodes At ‘Worst’ Female Reporter For Asking ‘Stupid’ Question

Last Updated:May 08, 2026, 3:15 PM IST

Trump said the renovation project at the at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool would cost around $2 million.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. (Reuters)

Another day, another Trump moment! President Donald Trump and members of his administration made an unusual visit to the Lincoln Memorial on Thursday. During the visit, Trump interacted with reporters, but the exchange soon turned heated.

Trump had visited the National Mall, where restoration work is currently underway at the Reflecting Pool ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The visit later turned into a hot mic moment after Trump was questioned by ABC News journalist Rachel Scott about the renovation work at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool amid the ongoing war in Iran and rising gas prices.

According to reports, Trump said the renovation project would cost around $2 million.

US President praised the “good-looking” crew working on a beautification project in Washington, D.C., during an exchange with ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott. The project, according to Trump, is expected to cost around $2 million.

The exchange began when Scott questioned the timing of the initiative amid concerns over the conflict in Iran and rising fuel prices. “Mr. President, you are here against the backdrop of the war in Iran. Why focus on all these projects right now? We’re still seeing gas prices soaring?” she asked, before Trump interrupted her response.

“You know why? Because I want to keep our country beautiful and safe. Beautiful also,” the 79-year-old replied.

Trump then shifted the discussion towards cleanliness and maintenance in the US capital, describing parts of Washington, D.C. as “disgusting” before recent clean-up efforts. He claimed National Guard members had been deployed to remove waste and assist in beautification work, despite such responsibilities typically falling under the National Park Service, whose funding his administration had reduced.

“You probably don’t see dirt,” he told Scott while gesturing toward her. “But I do.”

Referring to the area near the reflecting pool, Trump added, “And if you were to walk down this—this pond… they had to take 11 or 12 truckloads of garbage out of that lake, out of that water,” although the site he referred to is neither a pond nor a lake.

The exchange later grew more heated. “That’s such a stupid question that you asked. We’re fixing up the reflecting pond,” Trump said, again misstating the name of the location, “to the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and you say, ‘Why are you fixing it up?’ Because you can understand dirt, maybe, better than I can, but I don’t allow it.”

He then criticised Scott directly while addressing workers at the site. “She’s with ABC fake news and she’s a horror show. She’s saying, ‘Why would you bother fixing this up?’ Why would I bother taking 11 or 12 truckloads of filth out of the water in front of the Lincoln monument,” Trump said. “That’s what made our country great. Beauty made our country. People made our country great. A question like that is a disgrace to our country.”

Moments later, as he walked back towards the presidential limousine, Trump appeared to make another remark while looking in Scott’s direction. Although the microphones did not clearly capture his words, some observers speculated that he may have used the word “b—h” in reference to the journalist.

Trump announced renovation at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. He said the coating in swimming pool surface will be hued in “American flag blue.”

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