Former President Donald Trump hurled insults and snarls when faced with Bloomberg News' editor-in-chief's questions about the trillions of dollars experts estimate he'll add to the national debt.
Trump mounted the stage of the Economic Club of Chicago Tuesday to field questions from Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait, who described the estimates on deficit increases as "quite kind."
"I was actually quite kind to you," Micklethwait said to Trump. "I used $7 trillion — the upper estimate is $15 trillion."
The $15 trillion estimate comes from the nonpartisan group the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, as reported by the New York Times.
Micklethwait prefaced his question with an explanation about "Trump Trade" — the market for investors who bet the former president's proposed policies would drive up inflation and interest rates.
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"No," Trump interrupted. "No, no, no."
"People like the 'Wall Street Journal,' hardly a communist organization," Micklethwait continued, as Trump crossed his arms over his chest, "they have criticized you on this as well."
The Journal did estimate Trump would add $7.5 trillion to the national debt in an Oct. 7 report that noted it was twice the amount Vice President Kamala Harris' plan would bring.
"You are running up enormous debts," Micklethwait said, prompting Trump to snap back with a shrug, "What does the Wall Street Journal know?"
Trump claimed he wanted to better understand, but before Micklethwait could answer, the former president doubled down on his attack.
"They've been wrong about everything," Trump said. "So have you, by the way."
The crowd erupted in laughter. Micklethwait again tried to offer an explanation to Trump, who appeared sullen as he turned his face away and stared at the floor.
"You're trying to turn this into a debate," Micklethwait said.
"It's not a debate," Trump said, lunging forward. "You're wrong. You've been wrong all your life on this stuff."
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