‘You are not a smart person’: Trump responded to questions about his ballroom budget and inflation by insulting both reporters to their faces

President Donald Trump insulted two female reporters outside the White House, calling them a “dumb person” and a “stupid person” after they asked him questions about a ballroom renovation project and rising inflation.

According to Reality Tea, the first exchange happened as Trump was leaving the White House. A reporter asked him about the cost of a ballroom renovation project, which had reportedly doubled in price. Trump quickly became defensive, saying the project was “on budget, under budget” and “ahead of schedule.”

He then directed a personal insult at the reporter, stating, “I doubled the size of it, you dumb person… Double the size. You are not a smart person.” The White House later posted about the exchange on social media, labeling the journalist “FAKE NEWS” and adding fire and crying-laughing emojis.

Trump’s comments came as inflation data showed prices hitting their highest level since May 2023

A second female reporter then asked Trump whether his economic policies were working to bring down rising inflation. Trump insisted that they were, before shifting the topic to nuclear proliferation and directing another personal insult at the journalist.

“They’re working incredibly,” Trump said. “If you go back to just before the war, for the last three months, inflation was at 1.7%. Now, we had a choice. Let these lunatics have a nuclear weapon – if you want to do that, then you’re a stupid person.”

He then addressed the reporter directly: “And you happen to be. I mean, I know you very well. Anybody that wants them to have a nuclear weapon is a stupid person.” The identities of both reporters have not been disclosed. This outburst came amid ongoing tensions over Iran’s nuclear negotiations with the US.

The exchange came as inflation in the US rose to 3.8% in April, its highest level since May 2023. According to CNN, prices rose 0.6% on a monthly basis, driving the annual rate to 3.8%. Economists had expected prices to rise 0.6% from March and for the annual rate to climb to 3.7%.

Annual inflation-adjusted average hourly wage growth also went negative for the first time since April 2023. The energy price shock from the Iran war is further adding to affordability concerns for Americans who have already been dealing with years of fast-rising prices.

“This is an uncomfortable place for households, and the Fed,” said economist Sung Won Sohn, a finance and economics professor at Loyola Marymount University. “For consumers, that means the cost of living remains uncomfortable. For the Federal Reserve, it means rate cuts are likely to be pushed in the future.”

A new CNN poll conducted by SSRS found that 77% of Americans , including a majority of Republicans, say that Trump’s policies have increased the cost of living in their own community. Trump has also been making other controversial staffing decisions lately, including how he picked his acting Attorney General. 

Wealth inequality has also widened in recent years, with lower- and middle-income households experiencing more financial strain and having a harder time managing debt. Separate data released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed increased rates of consumers becoming seriously behind on their loan payments, particularly student loans.