President Donald Trump clashed with ABC News reporter Mary Bruce during a tense Oval Office exchange, scolding her over questions on MBS and Jamal Khashoggi while threatening to revoke ABC’s broadcast license, sparking fresh press-freedom concerns.
WEBDESK – Imran Malik, MediaBites – November 19, 2025
President Donald Trump on Tuesday erupted at ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce, scolding her for pressing him on US–Saudi business ties and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — and even threatening that ABC “should lose its broadcast license” over its reporting.
Bruce, known for her firm yet professional style, used the Oval Office meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to raise two core accountability questions:
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Whether the Trump family’s business interests in Saudi Arabia pose a conflict of interest, and
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How the White House justifies its warm embrace of MBS despite US intelligence findings that he approved the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Trump reacted sharply.
“People are wise to your hoax,” he snapped. “Your crappy company is one of the perpetrators. I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and so wrong.”
He later added, “I think you are a terrible reporter. It’s the way you ask these questions.”
A test of journalistic responsibility
Bruce’s inquiries reflected a core obligation of the press: confronting leaders with difficult, uncomfortable questions — especially during sensitive diplomatic moments. Her question on conflicts of interest prompted Trump to clarify that he no longer oversees the Trump Organization.
“I have nothing to do with the family business,” he said. “What my family does is fine… They’ve done very little in Saudi Arabia, actually.”
But Bruce’s question about Khashoggi’s killing visibly unsettled the president.
“You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial,” Trump said of Khashoggi. “Things happen, but [MBS] knew nothing about it. And would you leave it at that? You don’t have to embarrass our guest.”
Standing firm despite hostility
Bruce remained composed, moving on to another accountability question: why was Trump urging Congress to release the Epstein files instead of ordering their release himself?
Again, Trump dismissed it, calling ABC “one of the worst… fake news” outlets.
Despite the president’s repeated personal criticisms, Bruce continued doing what journalists are expected to do — ask the questions that matter, even when the answers are unwelcome.
Press freedom concerns reignited
Trump’s comments quickly reignited concerns among press advocates, who argue that threats to revoke media licenses over legitimate questioning undermine democratic norms and free-press protections.
Bruce did not respond to requests for comment, but her measured approach is being praised widely as a reminder of journalism’s essential role — pursuing truth with persistence, even when power pushes back.
