President Donald Trump criticized a Wall Street Journal reporter aboard Air Force One on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in front of other reporters, after being questioned about his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The exchange occurred as Trump returned to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, from West Palm Beach, Florida. The incident began when the president inquired about the journalist’s media affiliation, a tactic he has often used during his second term.
Upon learning the reporter was from The Wall Street Journal, Trump voiced his dissatisfaction with the publication. His frustration appeared to arise from what he perceives as unfair coverage by the conservative-leaning newspaper.
“That’s what I thought. Boy, you people treat us so badly. Wall Street Journal has truly gone to hell. Go ahead, yeah. Rotten newspaper. You hear me? What I said? It’s a rotten newspaper,” Trump told the journalist in a moment that was captured on video.
Although Trump initially invited the question, he declined to answer queries regarding his discussions with Putin on peace negotiations related to Russia and Ukraine.
The president stated he would not engage with The Wall Street Journal, accusing the newspaper of being “China-oriented” and harmful to American interests.
This encounter is part of a longstanding dispute between Trump and the Rupert Murdoch-owned publication. Despite its traditionally conservative stance, The Wall Street Journal has criticized several of Trump’s policies since his return to office.
The editorial board has been especially vocal in opposing Trump’s trade policies and tariffs, which it has described as the “Dumbest Trade War in History” and warned they might “sink his Presidency.”
In response to these criticisms, Trump has stated that he doesn’t “understand” the editorial board and has called their views “antiquated and weak.”
The Wall Street Journal has maintained its position despite Trump’s criticisms, continuing to describe his tariffs as “the biggest economic policy mistake in decades” and urging the president to seek a resolution to what they term his “tariff barrage.”
Trump’s interaction with the reporter follows a pattern of contentious exchanges with the press during his second administration. Weeks earlier, he had a similar incident with Washington Post correspondent Michael Birnbaum, who questioned whether Putin was disrespecting Trump by continuing military actions in Ukraine amid peace talks.
During that exchange, Trump told Birnbaum that the Washington Post had “lost a lot of credibility” before eventually taking his question.
This latest development occurs amid Trump’s ongoing efforts to mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine. Recent discussions have revolved around competing peace proposals, one supported by Ukraine and its European allies and another by the Trump administration.
According to diplomatic sources, Trump’s proposal reportedly included recognizing Russian control of Crimea, providing “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine, preventing Kyiv from joining NATO, and lifting sanctions against Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders have advocated for a plan starting with a ceasefire followed by territorial discussions, with Kyiv receiving defense guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5.
Tensions between Trump and Zelensky heightened in February when the two engaged in a heated exchange at the White House, ending with Zelensky being asked to leave.
Trump has consistently expressed confidence that his relationship with Putin will facilitate a resolution of the conflict, despite ongoing Russian military operations in Ukraine. Last month, the president claimed on social media that Russia and Ukraine were “very close to a deal” and urged both sides to meet “at very high levels” to finalize an agreement.
The administration’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine war has drawn criticism from both domestic political opponents and international allies, who have expressed concern that Trump’s proposed peace terms may favor Moscow.
Trump’s confrontational interactions with mainstream media outlets, including those traditionally aligned with conservative views like The Wall Street Journal, remain a prominent feature of his presidential communication style as he navigates complex international negotiations and domestic policy challenges.
