Summary (tl;dr)

New York Times White House correspondent Katie Rogers is trending after former President Donald Trump publicly attacked her, calling her "ugly, both inside and out," in response to an article she co-authored about his age and signs of fatigue in office.

Essential Background

Katie Rogers is a prominent journalist, serving as the White House correspondent for The New York Times. Separately, in October 2025, Rogers also made headlines when she departed from her role as executive director of Alamo Trust following pressure from Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who objected to an opinion expressed in her college dissertation regarding the role of politicians in educational curricula. Former President Trump has a history of making personal and often disparaging remarks about female journalists.

The Full Story

Katie Rogers co-authored a New York Times article that detailed aspects of former President Donald Trump's physical health and public schedule, including observations about his age and reported signs of fatigue since returning to office. In response, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Trump lashed out at Rogers on his Truth Social platform, labeling her a "third rate reporter" and asserting that she is "ugly, both inside and out." The New York Times has publicly defended Rogers and her reporting, stating that the article is accurate and based on first-hand facts, and that such personal attacks will not deter their journalists from covering the administration.

Why It Matters

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between political figures and the press, particularly regarding reporting on sensitive topics such as a leader's health and public performance. Trump's personal attack on a female journalist has drawn criticism, raising concerns about the potential chilling effect on independent journalism and the broader discourse around freedom of the press. The New York Times' firm stance in defending its reporter underscores the importance of journalistic integrity in the face of political pressure and intimidation tactics.

Geographic Location

• New York City, New York, United States (The New York Times headquarters, responsible for publishing the article co-authored by Katie Rogers)
• Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (Location of the Oval Office, where some presidential activities reported in the article took place)