Trump Snaps At ABC Reporter Over Question About IRS Lawsuit

President Donald J. Trump sharply rebuked an ABC News reporter during an Oval Office press appearance Friday after she pressed him about a $10 billion lawsuit he and his family filed against federal agencies over the unlawful disclosure of his tax records.

The exchange occurred after Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and the Trump Organization filed suit Thursday against the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department, alleging that a former IRS contractor illegally leaked portions of Trump’s tax returns, violating federal confidentiality laws.

As the president took questions following a signing event in the Oval Office, ABC News White House correspondent Karen Travers attempted to question Trump about the lawsuit and why he was suing agencies within the federal government.

“Mr. President, why are you suing your own administration and the IRS?” Travers asked. “Why are you suing?”

Trump immediately challenged the reporter.

“Who are you with?” Trump asked.

“I’m with ABC News,” Travers replied.

“You’re a loud person,” Trump said. “Very loud. Let somebody else have a chance.”

When Travers attempted to continue pressing her question, Trump dismissed the network outright.

“ABC fake news,” Trump said. “ABC fake news.”

As she tried to finish, Trump repeatedly cut her off.

“Go ahead. I didn’t call on you. Go ahead, please, go ahead,” he said. “Go ahead.”

Trump later added, “ABC, by the way, is truly one of the worst.”

The tense exchange unfolded as other reporters attempted to move on to different subjects, including foreign policy. Trump subsequently answered a question about potential negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, expressing optimism about diplomatic progress and citing his broader record on ending conflicts.

“I think they stand a chance,” Trump said, before pivoting to his administration’s diplomatic achievements.

The confrontation drew attention during live coverage, prompting CNN anchor Dana Bash to explain the reporter’s question to viewers.

“What Karen Travers of ABC News was trying to ask the president was about the fact that he is suing the IRS and the Treasury Department — so the American taxpayer — for $10 billion because part of his tax return came out in the public,” Bash said. “So that’s what he didn’t want to answer.”

The lawsuit stems from the actions of a former IRS contractor who pleaded guilty to unlawfully disclosing the tax records of Trump and other high-profile individuals. Trump and the other plaintiffs argue that the IRS and Treasury Department failed to protect confidential taxpayer information, resulting in serious financial and reputational harm.

In their complaint, Trump and his family accuse the agencies of gross negligence and seek $10 billion in damages.

The White House did not immediately comment on the exchange or the substance of the lawsuit. ABC News also declined to issue a statement addressing the incident.

Trump has long accused legacy media outlets of ideological bias and hostile coverage, frequently clashing with reporters during press events. The latest confrontation adds to a growing list of tense encounters between the president and corporate media figures during his second term in office.