PALM BEACH, FL — US President Donald Trump erupted at a female journalist on Thursday, calling her "stupid" during a press interaction at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The exchange occurred as Trump fielded questions about the vetting process for Afghan evacuees who were resettled in the United States following the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2021.

Trump’s outburst came in response to a question regarding his criticism of President Joe Biden’s handling of the Afghan resettlement. The reporter had asked why Trump blamed Biden when some officials in his own administration had claimed that Afghan evacuees were thoroughly vetted before being allowed into the country.

“Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?” Trump snapped, interrupting the reporter. He then proceeded to hold up a photo of a US military plane packed with people fleeing Afghanistan as the Taliban regained control.

“These people came along with thousands of others who shouldn’t be here,” Trump said. “And you're just asking questions because you're a stupid person."

The confrontation was the latest in a series of contentious exchanges between Trump and female journalists. In recent days, Trump has repeatedly lashed out at women in the press corps, including calling a New York Times reporter "ugly" in response to a story that focused on his age and physical decline. Earlier this month, Trump referred to two other female journalists as “piggy” and “a terrible person.”

Trump’s combative rhetoric and tendency to target women in the media have become key features of his public persona, continuing to spark controversy as he prepares for a potential 2024 presidential run.

The remarks come at a time of heightened scrutiny over the resettlement of Afghan refugees after the US’s rapid exit from Afghanistan, which saw thousands of people airlifted to safety in a chaotic final phase of the 20-year war. The issue has continued to draw bipartisan criticism, particularly after two National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House earlier this week, allegedly by an Afghan national who had been resettled in the US.

Trump’s disparaging comments towards female reporters are consistent with a history of insults directed at women, particularly those who challenge or question him publicly. His latest remarks are likely to fuel ongoing debates over his treatment of women in the media and his approach to presidential communications.