US President Donald Trump once again has come to the limelight after he got into a heated exchange with a female journalist at the National Mall. Trump visited the mall to look into the restoration work. 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. Some observers say that Trump has used a slur on the journalist.
Reports mentioned that Trump said that the renovation project would cost approximately 2 million dollars. The 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.
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It took an unexpected turn when Scott asked why the president is focusing on this project while the oil prices are reaching sky-high prices amid the Iran war.
Scott said, “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?. " To which Trump replied, “You know why? Because I want to keep our country beautiful and safe. Beautiful also."
Trump then quickly changed the conversation to cleanliness and maintenance in the US capital. He described parts of Washington, D.C. as “disgusting" before recent cleanup efforts. The US President 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.
'I See Dirt', Says Trump
“You probably don’t see dirt," he told Scott while gesturing toward her. “But I do." Referring to the area near the pool, he said, “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 conversation turned worse. “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 and 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."
The MAGA chief further lashed out at the journalist. “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 Memorial?" 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."
Trump then moved towards the presidential limousine and said something while looking at Scott. While the exact words were not captured, some observers say that he may have used the word "bi***," referring to the journalist.
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