President Donald Trump referred to Bloomberg White House correspondent Catherine Lucey as "piggy" during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One on November 14.
The exchange occurred as Lucey pressed Trump on recently released Jeffrey Epstein emails and whether anything incriminating would emerge in the full files.
Trump denied any knowledge of the emails' claims, insisted his relationship with Epstein had been bad for years, and redirected attention to Bill Clinton and others named in the documents.
When Lucey attempted a follow-up question, Trump pointed at her and said "Quiet, piggy."
The confrontation took place as Trump traveled to Palm Beach, Florida.
A reporter first asked what Epstein meant in emails by saying Trump "knew about the girls."
Trump responded that he knew nothing about it and that any such information would have surfaced long ago.
After calling on another journalist, he interrupted Lucey as she persisted with her question and delivered the "piggy" remark.
The moment initially received limited attention but gained traction days later as the House moved toward voting on legislation to force release of all Epstein files.
Journalists quickly condemned the language as disgusting, degrading, and unacceptable.
Veteran correspondent April Ryan described the comment as beneath the dignity of the presidency and said it revealed Trump's anxiety about the Epstein documents, adding that there is likely "some fire there."
The insult echoes Trump's past references, including calling 1996 Miss Universe winner Alicia Machado "Miss Piggy" and a 2018 incident in which an administration official used the same term toward Ryan.
On Sunday, Trump reversed his earlier position and urged House Republicans to support the files' release, stating on Truth Social that Republicans have nothing to hide and calling the matter a "Democrat Hoax."