Trump blasts ABC reporter for hate in his heart

In the United States, President Donald Trump confronted ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl on Tuesday, September 15, 2025, during a press gaggle before boarding Marine One at the White House. The tense exchange occurred as Karl questioned Trump about comments made by Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding prosecuting hate speech, following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Karl asked how Bondi’s remarks aligned with the perspectives of many of Trump’s allies who assert that hate speech qualifies as free speech. In response, Trump fired back at Karl, suggesting that he could be targeted for hate speech due to the negative way he treats Trump and asserting, "You have a lot of hate in your heart." He emphasized that Bondi may focus on individuals like Karl, who he accused of unfair treatment. Trump further mentioned that ABC had previously paid him $16 million as part of a settlement related to alleged hate speech, hinting that this could justify further scrutiny of the network. The confrontation comes in the wake of Bondi’s earlier statements indicating that not all forms of hate speech are protected under the First Amendment, particularly when such speech leads to threats of violence. She clarified in a follow-up statement that while free speech is valuable, any form of speech that incites violence crosses a critical line and is subject to legal penalties. Bondi's remarks have provoked divided reactions across the political spectrum, with both liberal and conservative commentators pushing back against her interpretation of hate speech laws. Further complicating these discussions, Bondi has been vocal about increasing enforcement against hate speech, stating in an interview that the Department of Justice would pursue those engaging in hate speech across the political aisle. These comments provoked significant backlash, as many argued that concepts of hate speech often challenge the boundaries of free speech rights protected under the Constitution. Trump’s history of litigation against media outlets for perceived slights only heightens the stakes in this ongoing dialogue about speech and accountability in America today.