Fastrack · Trump Lashes Out at Reporter Over Health Question

President Donald Trump verbally attacked Reuters White House correspondent Jacob Bogage on an airport tarmac Thursday. Bogage had asked if the canceled Kansas rally was tied to travel fatigue.

Trump told Bogage he was sick and disgusting, and to get in shape.
Trump said Reuters is terrible and that he feels perfect.
Trump said Marshall is doing well and does not need a visit.
Bogage had earlier posted an unflattering close-up photo of Trump on X.

Why it matters: Kansas has become competitive in the Senate race. 49% to 45%: Democrat Adam Hamilton leads Marshall in a new CNN poll.

57% of Kansas voters disapprove of Trump's job performance, the same poll found.
16 points: Trump's margin of victory in Kansas in 2024.

The story so far

17 steps · since Oct 19

Oct 19
Oct 203:27 PMTrump Snaps at Reporter in Heated Oval Office Exchange18 sources
Oct 20–21
Oct 2211:29 AMTrump Attacks Bill Maher in 1,300-Word Social Media Rant31 sources
Oct 22–24
Oct 2411:23 AMTrump Accuses Fox News of Too Much Airtime for GOP Foes18 sources
Oct 26–29
Oct 292:01 PMTrump Cancels Iowa, Kansas Rallies, Will Hold Telerallies Instead26 sources
Oct 294:59 PMTrump Lashes Out at Reporter Over Health QuestionYou are hereLatest

How 9 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 9 sources

9 sources · 11 articles · 45% Right coverage

Where they split: Outlets differ on whether the story is a reporter asking a fair health question or a reporter provoking Trump with an insinuation.

Center coverage, 3 sources: The center sees a heated exchange set against a canceled rally and a tightening Kansas Senate race before the midterms.

USA Today9hTrump erupts over 'sick' question about canceled midterm rally in Kansas PBS NewsHour7hWATCH: Trump calls reporter 'disgusting' when questioned about not traveling to Kansas The National Desk8h'You are disgusting': Trump slams reporter over health and travel questions

Left coverage, 2 sources: The left sees an angry outburst over a legitimate health question, part of a history of Trump attacking reporters who raise it.

Raw Story7hTrump roasted for erupting at a reporter over his rallies: 'Projection at its finest'Mediaite10h‘You Look Like Hell!’ Trump Launches Unhinged Attack on Reporter Who Asks Him if He’s &# ...

Right coverage, 4 sources: The right sees Trump rebuffing a reporter whose question implied he was unwell, in a characteristic takedown.

WND9h‘You look like hell!’ Trump lays into reporter who asked about Kansas cancellation * WorldNetDaily * by WND Staff Daily Mail8hTrump unleashes vicious tirade at 'dope' and 'out of shape' reporter who asked if he was 'sick' of travel: 'You look like hell!'New York Post8hTrump rips 'way out of shape' male reporter for asking about canceled Kansas trip: 'You look like hell'The Gateway Pundit7hWATCH: Trump Savages Reuters Reporter for Suggesting Kansas Rally Was Canceled Due to Health – You Are Disgusting. Put Yourself in Shape. You Look Like Hell!” * The Gateway Pundit * by Jordan Conradson

What’s next: Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Daytona, Florida, on Friday.

The White House said Trump will hold more than 20 tele-rallies before Election Day, including one for Marshall.
Why was the Kansas rally canceled? No official reason was given.
Did Trump mishear the question as asking whether he was sick?