President Donald Trump’s fiery social media attack on New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman ignited swift backlash Friday as critics quickly piled on.
Trump on Friday called Haberman an “unattractive person,” a “scammer,” and a “stalker” while demanding she surrender “any and all money” earned from reporting about him. Trump unleashed his barrage of threats and insults following a report about his plans for the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“And to think, he was given a seat on the stage at the WHCA dinner,” The Bulwark’s Sam Stein posted.
Podcaster and political commentator Mario Nawfal told his followers on X that Trump “escalated considerably” after denying Haberman’s reporting - to his own disadvantage.
“Whatever the original scheduling story was, Trump has now responded with approximately 14 stories' worth of material,” Nawfal wrote.
The popular political-analysis account @TheWarMonitor suggested Trump was more concerned about who spoke to Haberman than the substance of her report.
“Meanwhile, he’s probably working hard trying to find the one who leaked it,” the post said.
Spencer Hakimian, a hedge fund founder and podcast host, bluntly summarized the president’s Friday afternoon tirade: “Trump calls Maggie Haberman an unattractive maggot.”
The author of the "Stuff Happens" newsletter, who goes by the social media name @History Boomer, called Trump's attack "pitiful."
"His ego was hurt, and he had to throw a tantrum," he wrote on X. "Trump is a whiny toddler."
“Enough is enough, America,” added conservative user @kountry_kool.
Haberman has not yet publicly responded to Trump’s insults.
and to think, he was given a seat on the stage at the WHCA dinner. https://t.co/l5nZjmgpp4
— Sam Stein (@samstein) August 28, 2026