Donald Trump has sparked controversy once again, this time taking aim at MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle, labeling her a “dumb as a rock bimbo” in a fiery social media rant. The former President’s offensive comments came after Ruhle expressed her views on voting against Trump in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Trump’s remarks were part of a broader tirade posted on Truth Social, in which he also insulted HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher and its panelists.
The segment that triggered Trump’s outburst featured Ruhle alongside New York Times columnist Bret Stephens on Real Time with Bill Maher. During the episode, Ruhle and host Bill Maher discussed the possibility of Stephens voting for Vice President Kamala Harris, as an alternative to Trump. Ruhle made a passionate plea, stating, “She’s running against Trump. We have two choices. And so there are some things you might not know her answer to, and in 2024, unlike in 2016 for a lot of the American people, we know exactly what Trump will do—who he is, and the kind of threat he is to democracy.”
As the conversation continued, Maher jokingly compared Stephens to “the dog we’re trying to get in the car to go to the vet,” in an attempt to convince him to vote against Trump. Despite the humor, the discussion highlighted the deep concerns surrounding another Trump presidency, with Ruhle underscoring the risks she perceives to American democracy.
Trump’s response to the segment was swift and vitriolic. Besides calling Ruhle derogatory names, he also attacked Maher, describing him as a “befuddled mess, sloppy and tired.” The New York Times writer, Stephens, did not escape Trump’s wrath either. Trump referred to him as a “Trump-hating loser” and criticized the Times as a “failing” newspaper. Notably, Trump misspelled Stephens’ name while claiming the columnist should “find himself another line of work.”
In his ongoing rant, Trump accused the hosts of suffering from “TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME,” a term he frequently uses to describe critics of his political career. He also claimed that the editors of the New York Times have “gone insane” and are unable to write favorably about him without facing backlash.
In a particularly bold prediction, Trump suggested that the media personalities criticizing him will soon apologize after the upcoming election, much like what he claims happened in 2016. “They apologized to their readers in 2016 for their complete and total MISS, and they’ll do it again in November,” Trump said, before concluding his post with a scathing attack on the New York Times, calling for the paper to be “put to sleep.”
During the Real Time discussion, Maher made a separate, pointed comment, stating, “Whenever the autocrat starts blaming the Jews, I think it’s a great sign because when has that ever turned out badly?” Stephens responded by calling Trump “anti-Semitic adjacent” and warned that “democracy is at risk whenever antisemitism rears its head.”
This is not the first time Trump has resorted to personal attacks on those who oppose him. His history of name-calling and inflammatory rhetoric has become a hallmark of his political strategy, particularly toward journalists and media figures who criticize him. As the 2024 election approaches, these tensions are likely to escalate, with Trump continuing to target those who challenge his candidacy.