Trump calls White House reporter a "sick person" and journalist fires back on social media

At the end of a lengthy press session in the Oval Office, Donald Trump asked Andrew Feinberg whether he was a sick person, then reiterated that something was wrong with him. The reporter, who covers the White House for The Independent, answered on X, urging Vice President JD Vance to tag his account after Vance shared a clip of the exchange. Earlier in the same briefing, Trump warned the reporter to be careful, and Feinberg later claimed he had clarified his identity five minutes prior.

The incident occurred shortly after the administration announced a new fraud whistleblower incentive program offering rewards for information that recovers taxpayer money. Feinberg, who has been with The Independent since 2022 and previously worked for one outlet, declined further comment when approached. The confrontation adds to a pattern of tense interactions between Trump and members of the press.