President Donald Trump launched a strong verbal attack on New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman following a report about his plans for the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The report suggested Trump would attend a ceremony at the Pentagon rather than Ground Zero in New York City. Trump accused Haberman of fabricating the story and criticized her appearance, calling her “unattractive” and labeling her as a “scammer” and “stalker.”

Trump described the report as “corrupt news” and denied claims that he was avoiding New York due to restrictions on speeches at the World Trade Center site. He emphasized that the event is a “solemn ceremony” aimed at honoring the victims and their families. Haberman, along with three other journalists, reported that Trump is likely to attend the Pentagon ceremony, where he might speak. Trump has a history of participation in September 11 commemorations in New York, including events at Ground Zero.

Trump stated on Truth Social, “I never even thought of what Maggot [sic] made up, and besides, I would love not to speak, because I’m speaking all the time, and this is a day to remember the victims and their beautiful family members.”

The report indicates Trump’s choice aligns with his travel plans following the ceremony, with a scheduled trip to Ireland. Additionally, former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama are expected to attend the New York ceremony, alongside other prominent figures.

Trump has threatened legal action against Haberman and the New York Times, expressing objections to Haberman’s Pulitzer Prize, awarded for her reporting on the Russia investigation. He characterized the prize-winning coverage as a “total CON JOB.” Trump has a history of legal battles with media outlets, including defamation lawsuits against major publications such as the Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the BBC.

Trump’s treatment of female reporters has been criticized for frequent personal attacks. For instance, he called CNN’s Kaitlan Collins “the worst reporter” when questioned about the Epstein files. Previously, Trump insulted MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski and ex-Fox News host Megyn Kelly, attracting widespread criticism.

In recent interactions, Trump has continued to challenge female journalists with personal insults, deflecting from the report’s contents to target the reporters themselves. This trend persists with the latest comments on Haberman.