Trump Calls ABC Reporter's Question on Memorial Cleanup Stupid Amid Iran War

President Donald Trump on Thursday dismissed a question from an ABC reporter about his focus on cleanup projects amid the war in Iran, calling it "stupid."

"Mr. President, you are here against the backdrop of a war in Iran. Why focus on all these projects right now?" ABC's Rachel Scott asked.

"Because I want to keep our country beautiful and safe," Trump replied. "This place was disgusting. It's an ugly place. Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and we had a terrible, you probably don't see dirt, but I do. If you walk down this pond... They had to take 11 or 12 truckloads of garbage out of that lake, out of that water. And it sat there for years like that. And that's not what our country is about. Our country is about beauty, cleanliness, safety, great people. Not a filthy capital."

The president added, "It's such a stupid question that you ask."

Trump questioned why Scott would pose it. "This is one of the worst reporters. She's with ABC fake news. She's a horror show. And she says, 'Why would you bother fixing this up?' Why would I bother taking 11 or 12 truckloads of filth out of the water in front of the Lincoln Monument? That's what made our country great — beauty. Made our country, people. A question like that is a disgrace to our country,"

Scott posted the exchange on X.

ABC News did not immediately return a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Trump has criticized reporters multiple times in his second term. In a March press gaggle on Air Force One, he called ABC News "corrupt" after a question about sending thousands of Marines and sailors to the Middle East.

"You’re a very obnoxious person," Trump told that reporter before moving on.

Earlier, when asked about a fundraising email, Trump learned the reporter was from ABC. "One of the worst, most fake, most corrupt," he said. "You know what, ABC News, I think it’s maybe the most corrupt news organization on the planet. I think they’re terrible."

Trump then said, "I don’t want any more from ABC News."