US President Donald Trump ridiculed a Reuters journalist at a press conference on Thursday, saying he needed to “put himself in shape” after being asked about his well-being and changes to his campaign tour schedule. The heated exchange started when the journalist inquired whether Trump was either tired or unwell due to a series of travels for which he had to change his campaign tour schedule and skip some stops
Personal insults instead of health information
Trump was very quick to dismiss the question about his health as malicious before turning to insulting the journalist’s physical appearance.
Confrontational answer: “Oh, you’re sick to ask that question. You are sick,” replied Trump, adding that “Reuters is terrible.”
Personal insult: After making the mocking gesture with his hand, Trump said, “Look at this guy. He is way out of shape. You are disgusting. Put yourself in shape. You look like hell.”
Health claim: Trump insisted that he is in great shape and stated, “I’ve been following me for two weeks. I feel perfect.”
In-person rallies in Kansas and Iowa scrapped for tele-conferences
The verbal clash occurred immediately after the campaign confirmed the cancellation of high-profile weekend rallies in Salina, Kansas, and Dubuque, Iowa—two key battlegrounds ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Trump minimized the decision, telling reporters he did not “feel like I have to go to Kansas” while expressing full confidence in Republican Senator Roger Marshall’s re-election prospects.
Pivot to tele-rallies: Campaign funding group MAGA Inc announced it will replace the cancelled in-person events with a series of tele-rallies targeting voters in 19 states before Election Day.
Heavy schedule: Trump has completed 25 rallies across 19 states since October 1 to bolster slim Republican majorities in both the House and Senate.
Upcoming travel: Despite dropping the Kansas and Iowa events, Trump remains scheduled to travel to Florida on Friday for an in-person campaign stop.
