President Trump called CBS' Norah O'Donnell "disgraceful" during a "60 Minutes" interview Sunday after she raised comments the gunman from the White House Correspondents' Association dinner allegedly made about him in a manifesto.
The big picture: O'Donnell asked Trump for his reaction to the manifesto and allegations the suspect appeared to make about him, prompting the president to say: "I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would because you're horrible people. ... Yeah, he did write that. I'm not a rapist. I didn't rape anybody."
What they're saying: "You read that crap from some sick person? I got associated with all stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated," Trump said.
- "Your friends on the other side of the plate are the ones that were involved with, let's say, Epstein or other things," he said, without elaborating further.
- "I read the manifesto. You know, he's a sick person. But you should be ashamed of yourself reading that because I'm not any of those things."
- O'Donnell emphasized that the words were not hers, but Trump told her she "shouldn't be reading that on '60 Minutes,'" adding: "You're a disgrace. But go ahead. Let's finish the interview. ... You're disgraceful."
Zoom out: Press freedom groups have previously criticized Trump for his verbal attacks on journalists, with the Society of Professional Journalists saying they mark "an unmistakable pattern of hostility — often directed at women — that undermines the essential role of a free and independent press."
- Representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Go deeper: Trump targets women reporters with disparaging rhetoric
Editor's note: This article has been updated with more context.
