Trump’s Attack on Maggie Haberman

President Donald Trump launched a direct attack on New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman following her coverage of his plans for the September 11 anniversary event. The report suggested that Trump would attend the Pentagon ceremony rather than Ground Zero in New York City.

Accusing Haberman of fabricating the story, Trump described her as a “fake reporter” and criticized her appearance. He labeled her as “unattractive,” a “scammer,” and a “stalker.” Trump’s comments described the report as “corrupt news.” The report mentioned he wanted to avoid New York due to restrictions on giving speeches at the World Trade Center site.

Trump emphasized that the ceremony was focused on victims and families, calling it a “solemn” event.

Newsweek reached out to both the White House and New York Times but did not receive an immediate response.

Details of Trump’s 9/11 Anniversary Plans

The Times reports that Trump decided to mark the anniversary at the Pentagon. Originally, he planned to attend the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan. Politicians have been restricted from speaking at the site since 2012, influencing Trump’s change of plans. Trump expressed that he appreciated not speaking at the event, as it is a day for reflection.

The report indicates logistical reasons for attending the Pentagon ceremony, citing upcoming travels including a trip to Ireland. Vice President JD Vance is expected to be at New York’s ceremony, while former Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama, along with Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, will be present.

Legal Threats and Trump’s Media Battles

Trump threatened further legal action against Haberman, criticizing her past reporting awarded with a Pulitzer Prize. He announced plans for lawsuits against the Times and the Pulitzer organization for what he called “discredited” stories.

His legal confrontations with media outlets are notable, having filed defamation lawsuits against major news organizations including The Wall Street Journal and BBC.

Pattern of Attacks on Female Journalists

Trump’s criticism fits a pattern of targeting female reporters based on appearance or demeanor when disagreeing with their questions. Examples include remarks targeting CNN’s Kaitlan Collins during her inquiries about the Epstein files, and comments on Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC.

He has similarly directed attention away from report content to journalists themselves. The remarks on Haberman continue this trend, with recent criticism of Bloomberg’s Catherine Lucey and ABC News correspondent Mary Bruce. Trump’s history includes contentious remarks toward female reporters since his first term.