Trump insults CBS reporter for 'stupid' question, pressures Senate to cancel recess for SAVE Act

President Donald Trump launched a verbal attack on a female reporter aboard Air Force One on Monday while en route to Michigan, dismissing her question as "stupid."

The Exchange

The confrontation began when a reporter asked Trump why he was urging the Senate to cancel its August recess and remain in Washington. Trump wants Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, his bill requiring voters to prove U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

Reporter: "On the Senate, on the SAVE Act, why do you want the U.S. Senate to stay in town? Shouldn't they be out across the country campaigning?"

The reporter was identified by The Daily Beast as CBS News' Jennifer Jacobs.

Trump: "What a stupid question!"

Jacobs pressed further:

Reporter: "Shouldn't they be out campaigning, though?"

Trump: "What a stupid question. For Jennifer to ask such a stupid — she's a smart person. I knew her all the way back in the Iowa days when she said Trump's going to win, and boy was she right."

Trump's Remarks on the SAVE Act

Trump then continued with a rant about his legislative priority:

"So listen, why do I want it? The SAVE Act has to be done. They shouldn't leave town. I'm not going to stop them from doing it, but they should get the SAVE Act done. If they don't get it done, it's going to be a very bad thing for the party. And frankly, you know, if you look at it, the SAVE Act is going to be voted against by all Democrats, just so we know."

He added:

"We have some Republicans that I will not comment on, a few of them, probably four, that we probably won't get their vote. I'd like to comment on them, but I have too much sense to do it."

Truth Social Post

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to keep senators in Washington:

"John Thune should not allow the United States Senate to 'leave town' until it passes The Save America Act or, far better still, TERMINATES THE FILIBUSTER, where Republicans can then quickly pass everything they ever dreamed of, including a full and deep throated SAVE AMERICA ACT, the Budget, and the ever looming Debt Ceiling disaster, 1929! The Dumocrats will do it on day one, and can't believe how lucky they got with this Senate leadership. Remember, stupidity always brings LOSING & DEATH!"

Senate Recess Schedule

The Senate's recess is currently slated to begin Aug. 6 and end Sept. 14.