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October 27, 2025 – USA –
In a widely discussed press conference on 24 October 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump was confronted by a question from a French correspondent speaking English with a discernible French accent. The exchange quickly drew attention when Trump told the journalist he “could not understand a word she’s saying,” while simultaneously describing her accent as “beautiful.”
Social-media users and media observers responded sharply, pointing out the incongruity of Trump’s comment given that his spouse, Melania Trump, speaks English with a European accent. One social post asked: “How does he talk to Melania?” Many critics characterized the remark as dismissive and culturally insensitive, raising concerns about his tone towards foreign journalists.
According to coverage in South Korea’s Chosunilbo (English edition), the president’s handling of the question added to a pattern of public gaffes related to names, accents, and foreign-language interactions. That story noted the incident occurred while the reporter asked about developments in the West Bank, a context during which Trump paused and deferred the question to another official because of his difficulty understanding the accent.
The broader significance for media rights and press freedom lies in the way this exchange reflects on the dynamic between political leaders and the international press corps. Observers suggest that the incident may undermine perceptions of respect and openness to journalists whose first language is not English, raising questions about linguistic inclusivity in high-level public forums. At the same time, it underscores how seemingly minor remarks in media interactions can gain outsized visibility in an era of viral clips and social commentary.
As a follow-up, press-freedom organizations and journalist-rights advocates may examine whether this episode signals a broader pattern of dismissiveness toward non-native speakers covering major global events. The reaction from both traditional media and social networks suggests a sustained interest in how public officials engage with international reporters, beyond the substance of the questions asked.
Reference –
https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2025/10/25/YHJSQZGRJFGZ3KXMWZBVFG67TY/
