Trump Attacks Reuters Reporter Over Canceled Campaign Stops
Trump lashed out at a Reuters reporter on October 29 after being asked why he had canceled campaign stops in Kansas and Iowa planned for the weekend. He called the reporter sick and disgusting, criticized his appearance and said he would not go to Kansas because he did not feel he had to.
Trump said he planned to hold a tele-rally in Kansas and campaign in Florida the next day. He also said he felt well. Shortly before the exchange, when another reporter had asked about his health, Trump had replied that he felt good.
The confrontation followed weeks of campaigning, Trump said, and he described the reporter as having followed him for two weeks. On October 30, Trump set new dates for the rallies in Kansas and Iowa.
Trump Turns Questions About Canceled Rallies Into Attack on Reporter
A question about why Trump had canceled campaign events in Kansas and Iowa drew a personal attack from the president on October 29. Trump called the Reuters reporter sick and disgusting, mocked his appearance and said he did not feel he had to travel to Kansas.
The episode followed Trump’s statement that he felt well. He said he would campaign in Florida the next day and hold a tele-rally in Kansas. The reporter’s question was about the canceled events; another journalist had asked about Trump’s health shortly before, and Trump answered that he felt good.
The canceled rallies were rescheduled the following day. Trump’s response put his treatment of a journalist at the center of an exchange that began with a straightforward question about his campaign plans. His stated reason for skipping Kansas was that he did not feel a personal appearance was necessary, while he indicated he would still reach voters there remotely.
Trump Explains Kansas Campaign Change After Reporter’s Health Question
Trump defended his campaign schedule on October 29 after a Reuters reporter asked why he had canceled events in Kansas and Iowa. He said he did not feel he had to go to Kansas and planned to reach the state with a tele-rally, while campaigning in Florida the next day.
Trump said he felt well. Another reporter had asked about his health shortly before the exchange, and he answered that he felt good. During the later question, Trump turned on the Reuters journalist, calling him sick and disgusting and criticizing his appearance.
The events in Kansas and Iowa were rescheduled the following day. The exchange combined a dispute over campaign logistics with a personal attack on the reporter; Trump’s explanation was that he did not need to make the Kansas trip in person, not that he was unable to campaign. He also said he would take part in other events if they came up.
Reported by The New Republic, The Guardian US.
