A sharp exchange erupted Friday as former President Trump directly criticized New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, using a derogatory nickname on his Truth Social platform. The outburst followed recent reporting by Haberman and CNN’s Kaitlan Collins focusing on gasoline prices in the wake of escalating tensions involving Iran.
The core of the dispute centers on the narrative surrounding fuel costs. Trump asserted that current gas prices are, in fact, lower than they were when President Biden took office, a point he claims is deliberately omitted by the reporters in question.
During Biden’s presidency, the national average for gasoline reached a peak of $5 per gallon, a stark contrast to the current average of $3.66. Trump contends his policies were responsible for bringing prices down before the recent international developments.
The former President didn’t hold back in his assessment of Haberman’s reporting, labeling her a “SLEAZEBAG writer” and accusing her of consistently publishing false information, knowingly the opposite of the truth. He suggested a deep-seated personal animosity fuels her coverage.
Adding another layer to the conflict, Trump indicated he is considering adding Haberman, and potentially others connected to her, as defendants in an ongoing lawsuit he has filed against The New York Times in Florida. He expressed optimism about the lawsuit’s progress.
This isn’t simply a disagreement over statistics; it’s a continuation of a long-running and intensely personal battle between the former President and certain members of the media, characterized by accusations of bias and deliberate misrepresentation.
