Earlier today, Trump reminded the world what a deeply misogynistic pig he is by disrespecting not just one, but two women reporters during a press conference. He said to one, “I know you’re not thinking. You never do.”
The second reporter was treated to Trump speaking over when she tried to follow up on his comments. He told her she’d “had enough” before refusing to respond to her. Both incidents showed Trump at his worst, dismissing a woman without tact or civility, and underlining just how little he respects women.
To make matters worse, the entire sordid affair is compounded by the fact that Trump spent much of the press conference defending his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who is embroiled in a disastrous sexual misconduct scandal.
It’s not enough for Trump to verbally berate women, he feels a need to elevate an accused sexual predator to the nation’s highest court. It’s a disgusting maelstrom of toxic woman-hating and it will end up inflicting generational damage on our democracy.
Trump calls on Cecilia Vega of ABC News. He says that she's shocked that he picked her. Then he adds, "That's OK. I know you're not thinking. You never do." (via ABC) pic.twitter.com/FnrIDeyqyN
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 1, 2018
Trump dismisses sexual assaults that occur in high school.
"I graduated from high school, and while I didn't drink, I saw people drinking. They drink beer, go crazy… Does that mean that they can't do something that they want to do with their lives? It's a very tough thing." pic.twitter.com/MQP0EZgyRc
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 1, 2018
Now, the women who felt the brunt of Trump’s ire today have taken to Twitter to hit back. ABC‘s Cecilia Vega pointed out that a news conference is intended for reporters to ask whatever questions they have and that it’s protected by the First Amendment.
Vega is, of course, correct, and it’s crucial that Trump’s hostility and dishonesty towards the press not be allowed to become normalized. We have never had an administration so lacking in transparency, and the American people rely on the free press to at least attempt to pierce the veil and show us some of what’s going on in our elected government. Trump attacks them out of a fear they’ll unmask him for the fraud and con man he really is.
A news conference means you get to ask whatever question you want to ask. #FirstAmendment
— Cecilia Vega (@CeciliaVega) October 1, 2018
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins threw her support behind Vega’s sentiment with a simple but poignant “Ditto.”
Ditto. https://t.co/QO9gdFxJMR
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 1, 2018
These women should be commended for remaining steadfast in the face of unprecedented attacks from the White House. We need brave journalists like them to help our country survive the dire times we find ourselves in.
