In a recent outburst, former President Donald Trump directed a barrage of criticism towards Maggie Haberman, a journalist for The New York Times and author of a biography detailing his life and presidency. The attack, posted on his social media platform Truth Social on March 14, 2025, saw Trump label Haberman with derogatory terms while threatening potential legal action against her and the publication.
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Underlining his contempt, Trump referred to Haberman as “Maggot Hagerman” and described her as “just another SLEAZEBAG writer for The Failing New York Times.” He accused her of deliberately crafting false narratives about him, claiming that her portrayals were consistently at odds with the actual truth. In his post, Trump expressed his intention to possibly include Haberman in an ongoing legal case against The New York Times, stating that his lawsuit was progressing favourably.
The reasons behind Trump’s latest tirade remain unclear. Haberman, a prominent figure in political journalism, won the Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for her reporting on the ties between Trump’s advisers and Russia. Her most recent article covering Trump was published just days before his attack, focusing on the dismissal of Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Haberman also provided insights into the Trump administration’s responses to international issues during a CNN segment shortly after the publication of her article.
This incident encapsulates a pattern of behaviour exhibited by Trump, who has a history of publicly belittling female journalists. Notably, on February 6, 2025, he rebuffed Natalie Allison of The Washington Post during a press interaction aboard Air Force One. As Allison attempted to question him about deportation strategies, he dismissed her inquiry with remarks about her “bad attitude” and the newspaper’s struggling readership, further demoralising her in front of other reporters.
Trump’s combative exchanges with female journalists extend beyond these two instances. Kaitlan Collins of CNN has also been a frequent target. In a previous encounter in February, he chastised her for her lack of smiles and labelled her as “the worst reporter,” while making disparaging remarks about CNN’s ratings. This type of interaction exemplifies a troubling trend of inflammatory and misogynistic rhetoric directed towards women in the media during Trump’s public life.
These recent incidents are not isolated; in November 2025, Trump referred to Nancy Cordes of CBS News as “a stupid person” and insulted Katie Rogers from The New York Times by calling her “ugly, both inside and out.” His derogatory remarks have often overshadowed his engagements with female reporters, raising concerns about the implications of his language on public discourse and media relations.
Maggie Haberman has yet to respond to the latest allegations and insults directed at her. Understandably, the journalist’s reputation and the journalistic integrity of The New York Times continue to face scrutiny amid Trump’s continued provocations. The former president’s penchant for personalised attacks illustrates a broader issue regarding the treatment of women in journalism, particularly by figures in positions of political power.
As this situation unfolds, it calls into question the ways in which public figures engage with the press and the standards to which they are held. Haberman’s contributions to political journalism, especially in covering the complexities of the Trump administration, illustrate the vital role that journalists play in democracy, pointing to the importance of defending press freedom against harassment.
The ongoing dialogue around Trump’s comments not only highlights the personal struggles faced by female journalists but also serves as a reminder of the crucial responsibility of media to uphold the truth, despite the hostile narratives that may emerge from those in authority. As the conversation surrounding this incident develops, it remains to be seen how Trump’s conduct will evolve and what impact it may have on the broader landscape of journalism.