U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on a flight back to Washington March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
President Donald Trump raised eyebrows on Sunday night in response to a female reporter's question about his plans to deploy U.S. troops to fight in the war in Iran.
Trump spoke with reporters on Air Force One, where a female reporter asked Trump about reports that as many as 5,000 U.S. Marines and sailors had been deployed to Iran. Trump dismissed the question and told the reporter that she is a "very obnoxious person."
Trump has a long history of making derogatory and dismissive remarks towards female reporters. For instance, he told CNN's Kaitlan Collins that she "doesn't smile often" during a recent press conference. Trump has also snapped at a female reporter, telling her, "Quiet, piggy!"
Trump's response raised the eyebrows of political analysts and observers.
"It's always women reporters he talks to this way," journalist Barry Malone posted on X.
"Donald Trump isn’t fit for office," comedian Ginny Robinson posted on X.
"I'll never understand why the White House press corps put up with this s---," Mehdi Hasan, founder of Zeteo News, posted on X. "Have some self-respect. It's not worth it folks. Also: same folks happily tell everyone how much access they have to Trump versus Biden. Sigh."
"Imagine being one of the 5,000 troops being sent overseas and this is the level of explanation your commander-in-chief gives," independent media creator Alex Cole posted on X.
"Trump is p---ed and refuses to explain that he’s sending 5000 US service members to Iran because he’s the f------ moron who started a war with Iran without an exit strategy," writer Polly Sigh posted on X.
"When you hate accountability," writer and activist Daniel Kurz posted on X. "Republicans don’t care about our people."
Reporter: Can you explain why you’re sending 5000 marines and sailors?
Trump: You’re a very obnoxious person. pic.twitter.com/0SExSBUWHK
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 16, 2026