In a heated moment that quickly went viral, President Donald Trump lashed out at a CBS News reporter during a Thanksgiving Day press conference, calling her a “stupid person” after she pressed him on the vetting process for Afghan nationals in the U.S. The exchange stemmed from questions about the recent shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., allegedly by an Afghan immigrant, highlighting ongoing debates over immigration policies and security screenings.
Key Points
- The Outburst: Trump responded sharply to a question about blaming the Biden administration for the incident, asking the reporter, “Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?” This came amid frustrations over what he described as inadequate vetting during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
- Context of the Shooting: The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021, is accused of killing one National Guard member and injuring another. Research suggests the vetting was thorough, but Trump claims it was insufficient, pointing to broader immigration issues.
- Public Reactions: While some supporters praised Trump’s directness, critics viewed it as unprofessional, sparking discussions on media relations and political rhetoric. Evidence leans toward this being part of a pattern in Trump’s interactions with the press, though opinions vary widely.
- Policy Implications: The incident has led to a suspension of Afghan immigration processing, reflecting heightened security concerns, but experts caution against politicizing individual cases.
Background on the Incident
The press conference occurred on November 28, 2025, following Trump’s meeting with Argentinian President Javier Milei and a video call with U.S. military units. It was meant to address Thanksgiving messages and updates on national security but quickly turned contentious when reporters questioned Trump about the previous day’s shooting near the White House.
The Exchange in Detail
CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes asked Trump why he blamed the Biden administration, citing a Department of Justice Inspector General report that confirmed thorough vetting by DHS and the FBI. Trump, holding up a photo of a crowded evacuation plane from Kabul in 2021, dismissed the vetting claims and personally attacked Cordes, emphasizing that “thousands of other people that shouldn’t be here” entered the country unchecked.
Broader Implications
This event underscores ongoing tensions around U.S. immigration from conflict zones. While Trump argues for stricter controls, reports indicate the suspect had worked with the CIA and passed multiple screenings, suggesting the issue may involve more complexity than policy failures alone. Public discourse on social media shows divided opinions, with some seeing Trump’s response as justified frustration and others as indicative of broader media hostility.
In the midst of a Thanksgiving Day press conference that blended holiday sentiments with grave national security updates, President Donald Trump found himself in a fiery confrontation with a seasoned journalist, an exchange that has since dominated headlines and social media feeds. The moment unfolded as Trump addressed the tragic shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., allegedly perpetrated by an Afghan national who had entered the United States amid the chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump’s sharp retort—”Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?”—directed at CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes, not only highlighted his frustration with media scrutiny but also reignited debates over immigration vetting, political accountability, and the tone of public discourse in America.
To fully appreciate the weight of this incident, it’s essential to delve into the prelude: the shooting itself. On Wednesday, November 27, 2025, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan immigrant residing in Bellingham, Washington, allegedly drove across the country to D.C. and opened fire on two National Guard troops with a .357 revolver. The victims were Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old from West Virginia described by Trump as “an incredible person” and “outstanding in every way,” who succumbed to her injuries that evening, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, who remained in critical condition. Federal authorities are treating the attack as an act of terrorism, with Lakanwal facing initial charges of three counts of assault with intent to kill and criminal possession of a weapon. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that charges would be upgraded to murder, and Attorney General Pam Bondi pledged to seek the death penalty, underscoring the administration’s firm stance.
Lakanwal’s background adds layers of complexity to the narrative. He entered the U.S. in April 2021 through the Biden administration’s “Operation Allies Welcome,” a program designed to resettle Afghans who had assisted American forces during the war. However, his asylum process reportedly began under the Trump administration, involving fingerprinting, iris scans, background checks, interviews, and risk assessments—all of which came back “clean.” Lakanwal had worked closely with the CIA in Afghanistan, serving in the elite NDS-03 counterterrorism unit in Kandahar, a Taliban stronghold. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed these ties, lamenting that “this individual—and so many others—should have never been allowed to come here,” while blaming the Biden administration’s “catastrophic failures.” Humanitarian advocates, like Shawn VanDiver of #AfghanEvac, urged restraint, warning against leveraging the tragedy for political gain and emphasizing that such isolated incidents shouldn’t tarnish the broader evacuation efforts.
The press conference, held after Trump’s bilateral meeting with Argentinian President Javier Milei and a video call thanking U.S. military units overseas, initially focused on holiday gratitude and the somber update on Beckstrom’s death. But as questions turned to the suspect’s entry and vetting, the atmosphere grew tense. Nancy Cordes, a Princeton-educated veteran journalist, calmly cited federal officials’ statements that Lakanwal had been thoroughly screened and a recent Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ IG) report affirming the rigor of DHS and FBI processes for Afghan evacuees. She asked pointedly: “So why do you blame the Biden administration for what this man did?”
Trump’s response was immediate and unfiltered. He first dismissed the suspect’s mental state, saying, “He went cuckoo. I mean, he went nuts. It happens too often with these people.” Displaying a photograph of 640 Afghans crammed into a cargo jet designed for 150 during the 2021 Kabul evacuation, he argued, “Look, this is how they come in, they’re standing on top of each other. That’s an airplane. There was no vetting or anything. They came in unvetted and we have a lot of others in this country and we’re going to get them out.” When Cordes persisted with the DOJ IG findings, Trump escalated: “Because they let them in. Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person? Because they came in on a plane along with thousands of other people that shouldn’t be here and you’re just asking questions because you’re a stupid person.” He further criticized the Afghanistan withdrawal as a “disgraceful” mess, noting laws that make deportation difficult and vowing to retain Bagram Air Base in any alternate scenario.
This outburst fits into a broader pattern of Trump’s interactions with the press, particularly female reporters. Recent examples include calling a New York Times journalist “ugly” over a health story, telling a Bloomberg reporter to be “quiet, piggy” regarding Epstein files, and labeling ABC News as “fake news.” In response to the shooting, the Trump administration announced an indefinite suspension of all Afghan-related immigration processing and a reexamination of Green Cards for individuals from “countries of concern,” signaling a policy shift amid heightened tensions.
Social media erupted with reactions, amplifying the moment through videos and commentary. On X (formerly Twitter), posts ranged from supportive cheers for Trump’s candor to calls for journalistic pushback. For instance, user @MAGAVoice shared a video clip captioned, “HOLY SHT 🚨 Donald Trump just ended this Fake News Reporter’s career saying ‘Are you a STUPID person? Because they let him in. Are you Stupid?’ I VOTED FOR THIS 🔥,” garnering thousands of likes and reposts. Conservative outlets like The Gateway Pundit hailed it as Trump “obliterating” the reporter, with users like @StrangeFunnies posting, ““ARE YOU STUPID?” — Pres. Trump OBLITERATES ‘Reporter’ Who Asked Why He Blames BIDEN for Afghan Terrorist Entering the U.S.” Critics, such as @RpsAgainstTrump, shared the exchange with the quip, “Trump: are you stupid. Reporter: No, but apparently you are,” imagining a retort that would dismiss Trump. Other accounts, like @ForbesTVNews, directly quoted the dialogue, while @TracyAFF1 noted, ““ARE YOU STUPID?” But she didn’t answer him!” linking to a Fox News video.
To organize the key elements of this event, here’s a timeline table for clarity:
| Date/Time | Event/Details |
|---|---|
| April 2021 | Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s asylum approved after vetting; enters U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome. |
| August 2021 | Chaotic Kabul evacuation; photo of overcrowded plane circulates, later used by Trump. |
| November 27, 2025 (Afternoon) | Shooting in D.C.: Lakanwal allegedly attacks National Guard members Beckstrom and Wolfe. |
| November 28, 2025 (Morning) | Trump announces Beckstrom’s death during military video call. |
| November 28, 2025 (Press Conference) | Exchange with Cordes; Trump snaps with “Are you stupid?” quote. |
| November 28, 2025 (Ongoing) | Administration suspends Afghan immigration processing; social media reactions flood in. |
Additionally, a table of key quotes provides insight into the rhetoric:
| Speaker | Quote | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump | “He went cuckoo. I mean, he went nuts. It happens too often with these people.” | Describing the suspect’s alleged mental state. |
| Donald Trump | “Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?” | Response to Cordes’ question on vetting. |
| Nancy Cordes | “Your DOJ IG just reported this year that there was thorough vetting by DHS and by the FBI…” | Citing official report to challenge Trump’s narrative. |
| John Ratcliffe (CIA Director) | “This individual – and so many others – should have never been allowed to come here.” | Blaming Biden’s policies. |
| Shawn VanDiver (#AfghanEvac) | “I don’t want people to leverage this tragedy into a political ploy.” | Advocating against politicization. |
This incident, while dramatic, reflects deeper societal divides. On one side, supporters see Trump’s bluntness as a refreshing counter to perceived media bias, as evidenced by viral X posts celebrating the moment. Conversely, detractors argue it undermines journalistic inquiry and civility, with some suggesting reporters should respond in kind or disengage. As investigations continue and policy reviews unfold, the event serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges in balancing security, humanitarianism, and political rhetoric in a polarized nation. Whether this will lead to substantive changes or remain a fleeting controversy remains to be seen, but it certainly adds to the evolving story of Trump’s second term.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What exactly did President Trump say to the CBS reporter?
During the Thanksgiving Day press conference on November 28, 2025, CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes asked why Trump blamed the Biden administration for the D.C. shooting when a DOJ Inspector General report confirmed thorough vetting of Afghan evacuees. Trump interrupted her and snapped: “Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person? Because they let them in… you’re just asking questions because you’re a stupid person.” He also held up a photo of the overcrowded Kabul evacuation plane to emphasize his point about inadequate screening.
Who was the reporter Trump called “stupid”?
The reporter was Nancy Cordes, CBS News’ chief White House correspondent. She is a veteran journalist with over two decades of experience, a Princeton graduate, and widely respected in Washington media circles.
What was the context of the press conference and the shooting?
The day before (November 27, 2025), Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021, allegedly shot two National Guard members near the White House. One soldier, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom (20), was killed; the other, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe (24), was critically injured. The attack is being investigated as terrorism. Trump used the incident to criticize the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal and vetting processes under the Biden administration.
Was the Afghan suspect actually vetted before entering the U.S.?
Yes, according to multiple official sources. Lakanwal underwent biometric screening (fingerprints and iris scans), FBI background checks, CIA coordination (he had worked with them in Afghanistan), and multiple interviews. A 2025 DOJ Inspector General report concluded that DHS and FBI vetting of Afghan evacuees was generally thorough. Trump and his administration dispute this, arguing the chaotic evacuation allowed dangerous individuals to slip through.
How did the public and social media react to Trump calling the reporter “stupid”?
Reactions were sharply divided:
Supporters on X and conservative outlets cheered it as Trump “destroying fake news” (clips received millions of views and thousands of reposts with captions like “I voted for this 🔥”).
Critics called it unpresidential, misogynistic (noting a pattern of harsh language toward female reporters), and an attack on press freedom.
Some journalists and commentators suggested reporters should walk out or refuse to engage when personally insulted.
