‘You are disgusting’: Trump mocks journalist when questioned; not his first time targeting reporters

Washington DC: US President Donald Trump faced questions over his health after cancelling planned campaign rallies in Kansas and Iowa ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. However, when a Reuters journalist asked whether his decision to skip the events was linked to him feeling unwell, Trump responded with personal remarks about the reporter's appearance.

The exchange took place on Thursday, October 29, when the journalist questioned Trump about his decision not to travel to Kansas after weeks of campaigning across the country. Trump initially called the question “sick” and criticised Reuters, before turning his attention to the journalist.

“Look at this guy. He's way out of shape,” Trump said, briefly mimicking the reporter as he repeated the question. When asked again whether he was feeling well, Trump insisted that he was in perfect health.

“I've been following me for two weeks. I feel perfect,” he said before adding, “You are disgusting. Put yourself in shape. You look like hell.”

Trump cancels Kansas and Iowa rallies ahead of midterm elections

The confrontation came after Trump cancelled two planned campaign appearances in states where Republicans are facing competitive races.

The President was scheduled to attend a rally in Salina, Kansas, on Saturday and another in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday. Explaining his decision, Trump told reporters that he did not “feel like I have to go to Kansas”, while expressing confidence in Republican Senator Roger Marshall's electoral prospects.

The Republican National Committee subsequently announced the cancellation of the Iowa appearance as well.

Instead of attending the rallies in person, Trump's campaign funding group, MAGA Inc., said it would organise tele-rallies featuring the President in at least 19 states, including Kansas and Iowa, before Election Day.

Since October 1, Trump has held 25 rallies across 19 states to campaign for Republican candidates. The November 3 midterm elections will determine whether Republicans retain their narrow majorities in the US Senate and House of Representatives.

Despite cancelling the two appearances, Trump is expected to travel to Florida on Friday for another campaign event.

Trump's previous controversial remarks and confrontations with journalists

Trump's latest exchange adds to a series of confrontational interactions with journalists in which he has responded to questions with personal insults, dismissive remarks and criticism of media organisations.

During his second presidency and election campaigns, Trump has repeatedly clashed with reporters over questions concerning his previous administration, political decisions, health and public statements.

He has previously used terms such as “fake news” to dismiss media coverage and has personally criticised journalists during press briefings and public appearances.

His remarks about female journalists have also attracted attention. In several exchanges, he has dismissed reporters' questions and made personal comments about their intelligence, attitude or reporting.

In February 2025, Trump clashed with CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins during an Oval Office interaction, asking her whether she had ever seen him smile. The exchange followed Collins' questions about Americans detained in Russia.

In November 2018, Trump repeatedly interrupted CNN correspondent Jim Acosta during a White House press conference, calling him a “rude, terrible person”. The White House subsequently suspended Acosta's press credentials, triggering a legal dispute.

Trump has also frequently attacked media organisations over their reporting, questioning their credibility and accusing them of political bias.

Why Trump's latest exchange is drawing attention

The latest confrontation is significant because the journalist's question concerned the President's health and his decision to cancel campaign appearances at a crucial point in the election campaign.

Trump has insisted that he is in perfect health, but his decision to cancel the Kansas and Iowa rallies prompted questions about his campaign schedule.

The President has previously acknowledged the physical demands of maintaining an intensive campaign schedule. Speaking at a rally in Mississippi on Monday, he said, “God didn't make your vocal cords to do a rally every day.”

The exchange has also renewed attention on Trump's approach to journalists who question him. Rather than directly addressing the reason behind the cancellations, he turned the interaction into a personal attack on the reporter.

With the midterm elections approaching, Trump's campaign appearances and public interactions remain under scrutiny as Republicans seek to retain control of Congress.