President Trump Berates CNN Reporter Kristen Holmes for Asking Questions in the Oval Office
President Trump criticized CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes during a meeting in the Oval Office on Monday. The president dismissed Holmes as a "fake reporter" and accused her of being disrespectful, particularly when she attempted to ask about supplies aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. To support his critique, President Trump utilized the presence of 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai and 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams, both of whom were being honored by the administration. He told Holmes to be quiet in front of the youth, asking Williams if he agreed that she was being rude. Following the exchange, the White House issued a social media post criticizing Holmes for asking a "disgusting and inhumane" question. The administration announced that the reporter's children would eventually be embarrassed by her callousness. While CNN defended Holmes, noting that personal attacks on journalists are beneath the office and inconsistent with the principles of a free press, the administration continued to highlight the president's history of challenging aggressive reporting.