Momentarily taken aback, Trump first reacted with a raised eyebrow and a sharp stare before breaking into a bemused expression as the microphone was quickly pulled away.

“She made television tonight; she just became a big story tonight,” Trump quipped, always quick with a remark. Laughing, he then asked, “Did you see that?”

The footage rapidly spread across social media, with users sharing the clip alongside humorous commentary. Some praised Trump’s lighthearted response, while others simply enjoyed the unexpected moment.

The incident even sparked conspiracy theories, with one social media user speculating that the microphone could have contained a harmful substance like anthrax or fentanyl. However, there is no evidence to support such claims.

Trump attacks on US media

Earlier in the day, Trump escalated his attacks on the media, declaring that news outlets such as CNN and MSNBC should be considered “illegal” and investigated for their reporting.

Speaking at the Department of Justice, Trump accused the networks of acting as “political arms” of the Democratic Party, claiming they were engaged in corruption.

“They literally write 97.6% bad about me. What they do is illegal,” Trump said. “These networks and these newspapers are really no different than a highly paid political operative, and it has to stop.”

He further alleged that their reporting influences judges and changes laws, insisting, “I don’t believe it’s legal, and they do it in total coordination with each other.”

Tensions between the media and the White House have intensified in recent weeks. The administration has moved to strip the White House Correspondents’ Association of its authority over press pool access, with officials now selecting which journalists can attend briefings.

The dispute escalated after the Associated Press refused to adopt the White House’s preferred term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.” In response, the administration barred AP reporters from Oval Office events and Air Force One.

The AP has since filed a legal challenge, arguing that the ban raises “a constitutional problem.”

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