"I Can't Understand What You're Saying"... Trump Faces Backlash for Mocking French Journalist's Accent

Asked About Journalist's Nationality and Repeatedly Commented on Accent at Press Conference
Previously Avoided Questions by Criticizing Foreign Journalists' Pronunciation

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, sparked controversy by mocking the English accent of a French journalist during a White House press conference.

According to foreign media reports on October 25, President Trump was asked by a French journalist during a press conference held at the White House on October 23 (local time), "How do you think the Israeli parliament's recent preliminary approval of a bill to annex the West Bank will affect U.S. mediation efforts?"

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, sparked controversy by criticizing the English accent of a French journalist during a press conference. Yonhap News Agency

When the journalist asked the question in English, President Trump immediately said, "Speak up." As the journalist repeated the question, Trump responded, "I can't understand what you're saying," and asked Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was seated next to him, to answer on his behalf. He then asked the journalist about their nationality, and when the journalist said they were from France, Trump remarked, "The accent is beautiful, but we can't understand you."

It was only after Attorney General Bondi relayed the question that President Trump gave a brief answer, saying, "There's nothing to worry about. Israel will not take any action in the West Bank."

The video of this incident spread across social media, fueling widespread criticism. Some pointed out, "An accent is natural for non-native English speakers, and mocking it is rude," while others questioned Trump's attitude by asking, "Is this how he communicates with First Lady Melania, who is herself an immigrant from Slovenia?"

This is not the first time President Trump has taken issue with a foreign journalist's accent or pronunciation. In February, he effectively refused to answer a question from an Afghan journalist by saying, "Your voice and accent are beautiful, but I can't understand you." During a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the same month, he also avoided answering an Indian journalist's question, saying, "The accent is difficult."

There have also been instances where Trump associates have mocked French-accented English. In January, when a French journalist asked a challenging question to the White House spokesperson during a briefing, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene caused controversy by saying, "We don't need foreign media. American media should come first," and criticized the journalist's accent.