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resistancegardenerr's avatar

Honestly, the worst part about this wasn't even the fact that he said those disgusting words... It's the fact that not a single other reporter in the room called him out for it. Not a single other reporter stepped up and said what the fuck are you doing Mr. President?

Not a single other reporter in the room called out the blatant verbal abuse that he was doing to that reporter on national TV.

The fact that none of them did is just as abhorrent as what he said.

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RE Garrett's avatar

In general terms, I agree with you; some of her colleagues should have said something.

But—none of us have had any prior experience dealing with a President of the United States who is a thug and a bully. Many of us older folks grew up when our Presidents were worthy of respect; even if you disagreed with them on politics or policy, you felt you ought to show them a modicum of respect for the office they held. And many of us oldsters were brought up with better manners than our current President was, and would be taken a little aback when the President of the United States insults a lady in public. Maybe, with this experience behind them, some of them might speak up the next time this thug insults someone—which he will, sooner or later. The man is a walking textbook of psychopathology, after all…

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Denise's avatar

This may be so. I’m likely of the same generation as you but I don’t give my respect automatically.

Policy and politics aside, a person earns my respect (and sometimes even admiration) not only for the position they hold but how they attained it or worked for it. Leadership doesn’t come served on a plate. It is recognised usually through service to others, not self. I also respect such people for their character and positive personal qualities like integrity, empathy, compassion, leadership, honesty and so forth.

Trump doesn’t meet any of those standards. He deserves opprobrium rather than respect.

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staylor's avatar

Absolutely right. Trump has run out of chances to be deserving of the kind of respect shown to a real president and so next time when he shows his colours so publicly like this please journalists ‘answer back’ and show your integrity - I guarantee you’ll still hold the high ground - look who you’re dealing after all

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resistancegardenerr's avatar

Oh yeah no I get it. I mean it's just so shocking for many people that it's like you don't know what to say.

On the other hand, please correct me if I'm wrong on this... I feel like for many of the generations and especially the older generations words like that would easily be seen as fighting words. And especially for the older generations that sort of language being directed at a woman would certainly be fighting words.

And I totally get how decorum can be baked in.

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Debra NY's avatar

Former newspaper reporter here. 20 years ago, if at a press conference the president or any public official had lashed out as Trump did, or ignored major questions, others in the press corps would have stood up and repeated the question until it became obvious that the offender was stonewalling. Men and women rallying around the insulted journalist.

Sadly, most reporters now are too worried about losing “access” or fearful of getting insulted too.

It’s everyone out for themselves now, without regard for the dignity of the 4th Estate , fellow reporters or the citizens they are supposed to inform.

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Barbara Laman's avatar

Yes, exactly. Former reporter here, too. I would have totally repeated the question. He might have lashed out physically against me, but that would be caught on camera.

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Ms Margo's avatar

Journalists like Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw, Charles Gibson came from an era when journalists had integrity and an unwavering commitment to truth. What is seen today appalling.

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bottle green jaguar's avatar

I have to imagine (please let me believe this) they were in absolute shock.

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Denise's avatar

Exactly my reaction. Her colleagues should be ashamed of themselves.

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Mary E's avatar

Then again, I’m not sure I want women to be perceived as needing defense. It weakens us. If it was physical, if he shoved the reporter, I would feel differently. I haven’t solidified my thought on this but I think I may be okay, if a male reporter simply repeated the female reporter’s question very slowly and with exaggerated enunciation, and maybe “oinked” at the end, without taking his eyes away from the aggressor…I’m not sure.

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Laura K Bray's avatar

I get what you are saying but I don’t think it is a male or female issue. The reporters should come to one another’s defense regardless of their gender.

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Mary E's avatar

That would be ideal, LKB

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resistancegardenerr's avatar

Yeah it's a really hard line to toe. Cuz I agree. Like implying that women need more protection is sexist in of itself.... It's less about the gender the people speaking but my response specifically targeting men is referencing the earlier response where I was wanting to talk about how people of previous generations still hold the idea that men need to protect women and so it was shocking additionally, that men from that generation weren't speaking up.

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Patricia Reed's avatar

You nailed it!

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resistancegardenerr's avatar

Not to shamelessly plug myself on here but I just posted a long form note about something I care about. If anyone's interested in checking it out it is on my page.

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Mimi Michalski's avatar

They're all too afraid of losing access to this "president" to speak up. Disgusting.

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bottle green jaguar's avatar

thank you for proper scare quotes punctuation, ‘cause he ain’t no prez

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Kelly Rundel's avatar

He’s beneath her….

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Carla Kelkboom's avatar

I fully agree!!

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Jim Ulett's avatar

You are absolutely right!! No reporter came to her defense. You need to bring this clown (Trump) to his knees with embarrassment and do it every time he has a press conference.

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J Greg's avatar

Wait..what about her standing up for herself? Would she be immediately fired if she tactfully replied “there’s no need for name calling”?

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resistancegardenerr's avatar

At this stage with the president who is calling reporters piggy and telling them be quiet we are at the stage where decorum is simply complicity. Do they need to use language when responding?

Maybe not... But at the very least the response should have been something along the lines of "excuse me Mr. President I/we will not tolerate any verbal abuse regardless of the person doing so. Your position does not give you the right to verbally abuse someone. If you could please answer the question instead of attacking me or my character that would be wonderful."

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Barbara Laman's avatar

That looks great in writing, but he would have immediately interrupted her, shouting over her, prevented her from completing that little speech. She might have gotten in a short “how dare you?” or “wtf is wrong with you?” but probably was too shocked.

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resistancegardenerr's avatar

Yeah, you're probably right. I guess I just wish that somebody would actually respond forcefully to push back against his obvious entitlement.

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Barbara Laman's avatar

I do, too. I hope it happens very soon.

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Elizabeth Chandler's avatar

Correct 💯

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Lennie DG's avatar

I think after this, it won't happen again. Journalists will be prepared to respond with a quick rebuttal - "I don't accept that from you." - and others will continue to repeat the question.

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Deb M's avatar

This is not the first nor the last time this will happen from Trump. His history speaks for itself of how he really feels about women or those trying to seek the truth. Too bad that at one of his press rants everyone would just collectively get up and walk out. Actions speak louder than words.

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Michele Dezbor's avatar

Sad, but the others showed complicity instead of standing up for another reporter.

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Leslie Teal's avatar

Wow - I read the entire article in the voice of Miss Piggy! 🐽 All reporters need to attend the next few press briefings wearing pig noses and mock President Pig

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Jean M Mazza's avatar

This is a fantastic idea.

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Joanne Steacie's avatar

Love to see that, Leslie. What a statement it would be!

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Just Another Jim's avatar

What an absolutely fantastic idea!!! 💖

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Carla Kelkboom's avatar

🤣

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Carolynra's avatar

Fabulous idea!

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Beth Villwock's avatar

Please!!!! This would be priceless. As a young girl I was bullied for being fat, wearing glasses and whatever the bullying party could muster to make themselves feel more important. Later, as a more grown girl, I would have grown men grope and say things that were equally disgusting just sexual in nature. This current administration has been a horrible reliving of all the abuse I suffered. I’m sure there are many other people that can relate to what I am experiencing. What about us? The barely middle class struggling to survive everyday. Here’s the funny part, I grew up on a farm next to the famed Trump estate in Albemarle County Virginia. ( No longer in our family no one could afford to keep it.) I have been quiet but it hurts so deeply that I can no longer be silent. I love my country. We have to stand up.

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Sue Lunsford's avatar

At our next No Kings rally, all of us protestors could wear the pig nose and ears! Keep hammering it home.

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Melissa's avatar

Fabulous idea

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Elizabeth Chandler's avatar

Bring it on !! 😄😄

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Phil De Luca's avatar

Call him president Pig. When he speaks make pig noises

And say. Lies piggy lies piggy

Where’s the pig president. What’s the pig president doing today

Did the pig president play golf? Did he continue to cheat?

Continue mocking him

Get noisemakers that make pig sounds and use them every time he speaks. Every time

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MaryEllen Caruso's avatar

I agree

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Pam Chambers's avatar

AGREED!!! Let them show some support for their fellow journalist. Something they ran very short of the other day.

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Toni Rorapaugh's avatar

Had I seen your comment earlier, I wouldn’t have posted mine. Yes, this needs her voice!

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Jake's avatar

So did I 😉

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William McF 🇨🇦👋🏻👏🏻's avatar

Even if everyone wore a pigs noses, I don’t believe it would phase Cheeto at all. In fact, he pick on one individual just to degrade him or her.

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Gigi's avatar

Brilliant. Bravo.

Miss Piggy - you go girl

The muppets should have a field day with this - I see a great SNL skit coming up….. the Muppets in SNL 😂😂😂

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Yvonne McCarthy's avatar

HaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiYAH! *flips hair back*

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Unevieuxsac's avatar

As Joyce Vance said, “ this little piggy has no intention of staying quiet.”

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Desiree Carter's avatar

OMG…this is perfect! Every word, every observation, every truth is perfect!! And what a brilliant way to call him out!!

Thank you Miss Piggy for standing up, not just to a pig himself, but to someone I like to call a “fat bucket of pork”! No disrespect meant, Miss Piggy:)

Thanks for posting this…and yes, why didn’t ANY of the male reporters say a word when this was said? It’s getting more and more obvious, and ridiculous, that men in particular, seem to fear this great, white Dope!!

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Terri's avatar

LOVE the great white Dope!

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JUDITH FAZE's avatar

Thank GOD you spoke out, Miss P! I searched the internet, KNOWING that you would not let that POS get away with besmirching your golden name, and I should've checked here first. You came to the right place. 🐽 ❤️ 🏆

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Mike Feder's avatar

Exclusive to National Enquirer!! Miss Piggy reveals,

"I've dated them both, and all I can say is... Kermit is TWICE the man Donald is--If you know what I mean!!"

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Debbie Blick's avatar

He seems to find new lows every damn day. This was beyond disgusting

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Judy Allen's avatar

Oh this is just perfect. Thanks for acknowledging true star power as it meets and conquers the gutter. Brilliant!

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Joyce Thompson's avatar

His Piggishness just revealed--not for the first time--that he lacks empathy, class and basic human decency. The fact that fellow reporters did not shoot back is sad proof they fear the Pig in Chief.

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Katherine Huffman's avatar

Thank you Miss Piggy for standing up to this despicable man

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Elba's avatar

"If that letter made you laugh, gasp, fist-pump, or mutter “holy hell,”

all of the above! Great post!!!!

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Diane Tilley's avatar

brilliant as usual.

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Jo Bennett's avatar

When I saw the image of Miss Piggy in here, I couldn't help but think of Kermit, yes, a frog.

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Lynda Phoenix's avatar

Yes, and frogs are on the rise! (As seen in Portland).

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bayjh's avatar

Proof, again, that the porcine species is far more intelligent, balanced and mature than a certain faux President.

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