During a recent Q&A session outside the White House, President Donald Trump engaged with CNN White House reporter Alayna Treene, dismissing her inquiry about a potential U.S. military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. When Treene asked whether the U.S. was moving closer to such an action, Trump responded with a smirk, saying, “Well, obviously I can’t say that, right? You don’t seriously think I am going to answer that question?”
The president light-heartedly mocked the question, imitating Treene as he humorously speculated about her motives. He stated, “I may do it. I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do,” amidst ongoing tensions involving missile launches from Iran targeting Israel.
Treene had asked Trump whether it was “too late” to negotiate with Iran, to which he replied, “It’s very late. You know? It’s very late to be talking.” He emphasized that circumstances had changed significantly in just a week. As tensions escalated, the U.S. was facilitating evacuation operations for American citizens in Israel.
Trump’s remarks came during a press conference marking the installation of two new flagpoles at the White House. The exchange was not the first between Trump and Treene; they had clashed previously when Trump dismissed her question about the U.S. response to certain issues by referencing CNN’s credibility.
Treene, who has gained recognition for her reporting, shared her thoughts on social media but did not highlight Trump’s sharp retorts. Trump also took the opportunity to assert his electoral successes, claiming victories in seven swing states during the 2024 elections, a point he urged Treene to report.
This interaction illustrates the ongoing tensions in U.S.-Iran relations and the challenges faced by journalists covering high-stakes political topics. While these discussions are often contentious, they are crucial in informing the public about the complexities of international diplomacy.