Reuters reporter Jacob Bogage asked President Donald Trump on Oct. 29 whether he had canceled a planned Salina, Kansas rally because he was “sick of travel,” Reuters reported.
After the question, video and contemporaneous coverage show Trump traded words with the reporter; a Reuters story said the president “ridiculed a Reuters reporter” and said he “did not feel like I have to go to Kansas.”
Local and international outlets reported that Trump then directed personal insults at Bogage. Hindustan Times published the exchange verbatim: “You are a SICK guy! Reuters is terrible, by the way. Look at this guy — he’s way out of shape… You are disgusting. Put yourself in shape. You look like hell.”
Jacob Bogage, who covers the White House for Reuters, remained calm on camera as the gaggle ended and Trump walked back to his motorcade, Reuters’s coverage noted.
What led to the exchange
Reuters reported that Trump had canceled campaign stops in Salina, Kansas and Dubuque, Iowa and said he would phone in to other midterm events instead, after four weeks of travel. The canceled Salina stop was the specific subject of Bogage’s question.
Coverage after the president’s remarks showed a wave of public and industry support for Bogage. Hindustan Times collected reactions from colleagues and other journalists praising Bogage’s reporting and composure.
Sources
- Reuters — reported that Bogage asked whether Trump had canceled the Kansas rally because he was “sick of travel” and that Trump canceled weekend rallies.
- Hindustan Times — published the verbatim exchange in which Trump told Bogage, “You are a SICK guy,” and reported colleagues’ support.
