White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended President Donald Trump after he called a female reporter “piggy,” telling reporters they should value the president’s blunt and straightforward communication style, per TMZ.

During Thursday’s press briefing, Leavitt stood by Trump’s remark, arguing that his willingness to speak openly is, in her view, a form of

“respectful”

behavior. When Natalie Allison of The Washington Post questioned her further, Leavitt explained that Trump’s

“frankness”

is part of what helped him win re-election. She added that the president only becomes irritated when he feels reporters are lying or pushing

“fake news.”

Leavitt also claimed Trump’s approach is better than how the previous administration handled the press. She suggested that journalists should appreciate having

“unprecedented access,”

framing the president’s behavior as part of that openness.

The exchange follows an incident on Air Force One Friday night, when Bloomberg News reporter Catherine Lucey asked Trump,

“If there’s nothing incriminating in the [Jeffrey Epstein] files, sir, why not act?”

Trump responded by pointing at her and saying,

“Quiet. Quiet, piggy.”

#Clique, what are your thoughts?