Fact-check analysisVerified as of October 20, 2026Curated by FactVerify
True

Donald Trump publicly berated reporters by calling them sick persons and telling them to be quiet during a press appearance.

Evidence establishes that Donald Trump has publicly berated reporters during press appearances by using phrases such as sick person and instructing them to be quiet.

Trump tells reporter 'be quiet' during tense exchange

Trump tells reporter 'be quiet' during tense exchange

Source: fox9.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified October 20, 2026
  • Donald Trump has explicitly told reporters to be quiet and warned them during heated Oval Office exchanges.

  • Public reporting confirms his documented history of describing critics and journalists as sick persons during media appearances.

The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

Public records and media coverage document multiple instances where Donald Trump has engaged in tense, confrontational exchanges with journalists during press appearances. During Oval Office media scries, he has explicitly clashed with reporters, telling them to be quiet or warning them to be careful while utilizing characterizing language such as calling individuals sick persons.timesnownews.comtimesnownews.comWATCH: Trump Warns The Independent Reporter Andrew Feinberg To 'Be Careful' In...During a heated Oval Office press appearance, Donald Trump clashed with The Independent's White House correspondent, Andrew Feinberg ", adding, "I actually think there's something wrong with you* Reporting from outlets like Truthout and various journalistic archives highlights a documented pattern of using these specific rhetorical attacks against members of the press and critics during public engagements.truthout.orgtruthout.orgTrump Tells Maga Audience Leakers Should Be Shot"Sick Person" / "Sick Persons" Remarks: Trump has a documented history of using phrases like "sick person" or "sick persons" to describe journalists, leakers, or critics during public appearances and media scries Are you a sick person?”...

Additional historical and contemporary accounts from organizations including Business Insider and Fox 9 corroborate that similar verbal confrontations, featuring commands for reporters to remain silent, have occurred across various press settings.businessinsider.combusinessinsider.comTrump Calls Female Reporter Weijia Jing Obnoxious Tells her to Be Quiet 2018 6Notable instances include telling CNN reporters or other White House correspondents to quiet down or stop interrupting during media availabilities in the Oval Office and outside the White Housefox9.comfox9.comTrump tells reporter 'be quiet' during tense exchangeThe claim that Donald Trump publicly berated reporters by telling them to be quiet and calling them "sick persons" accurately reflects recurring patterns and specific tense exchanges during his press appearances and media interactions "Be...

Primary trail

Verified Sources5

Trump Calls Female Reporter Weijia Jing Obnoxious Tells her to Be Quiet 2018 6

businessinsider.com
Open source

WATCH: Trump Warns The Independent Reporter Andrew Feinberg To 'Be Careful' In...

timesnownews.com
Open source

“You Better Be Careful”: Trump Lashes Out at White House Reporters

newrepublic.com
Open source
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