ABC Journalist Reveals Shocking Encounter with Trump Over Simple Question
ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl recounted an intense encounter with former President Donald Trump during a recent interview. The discussion took place with comedian Hasan Minhaj and highlighted a significant moment that arose from a seemingly simple question.
Encounter with Trump Over a Simple Question
The exchange occurred in September on the South Lawn while Karl and other reporters engaged with President Trump. He posed a question regarding comments made by Attorney General Pam Bondi about prosecuting hate speech following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“What do you make of Pam Bondi saying she’s going to go after hate speech?” Karl inquired. “A lot of people, including your allies, assert that hate speech is free speech.”
Trump’s response was unexpected. He remarked, “She’d probably go after people like you, because you treat me so unfairly. It’s hate. You have a lot of hate in your heart.”
Response and Reflection
Feeling the weight of the conversation, Karl replied, “Would that be appropriate?” The former president escalated the exchange by suggesting that ABC, the network employing Karl, might be a target as well. “Maybe they will come after ABC. ABC paid me $16 million recently for a form of hate speech, right?” Trump referenced a defamation case settled in March 2024 concerning claims made by George Stephanopoulos about Trump’s legal troubles related to E. Jean Carroll.
- ABC News settled a defamation case with Trump for $16 million.
- The case stemmed from comments about a sexual assault trial.
Reflecting on this moment, Karl described it as shocking but did not initially feel fear for his own safety. Instead, he expressed concern for journalists nationwide. He stated, “The idea that the president would suggest federal power could target journalists raises serious First Amendment questions.”
Broader Implications
Karl also addressed a prevalent theme in Trump’s rhetoric, particularly during his reelection campaign, which included the persecution of opponents. He mentioned Trump’s decision to pardon individuals involved in the January 6 riots as an example of this pattern and mentioned a fear of politicization within federal agencies.
“There’s nobody at the White House now telling Donald Trump, ‘Look, sir, we really shouldn’t do this,’” Karl concluded, noting the supportive environment surrounding Trump’s leadership. This incident raises important discussions about press freedom and the role of journalists in a democracy.
