During a primetime interview marking his 100th day in office, President Donald Trump clashed with ABC News correspondent Terry Moran over questions regarding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The tension arose when Moran pressed Trump about whether he’d reprimanded Hegseth for his use of the encrypted messaging app Signal, and the ongoing controversies surrounding the Pentagon. Trump responded by calling the line of questioning “a stupid question,” dismissing the seriousness of the inquiry.
Moran’s questions stemmed from recent headlines concerning Hegseth’s use of Signal, as well as the shakeups within the Pentagon leading to the dismissal of several top aides. Trump, in response, stated he’d had a conversation with Hegseth, but declined to share details, adding that it was a “good talk.”
The exchange escalated further when Moran asked if Trump had 100% confidence in Hegseth. Trump retorted that no one could have 100% confidence in anything, and again labeled the question as “stupid,” asserting that only a liar would claim such certainty. He even extended his dismissal to the interview itself, jokingly stating he didn’t have 100% confidence they would even finish the conversation. Moran confidently asserted that they would complete the interview.
Despite the tense exchange, Trump did offer a positive assessment of Hegseth, praising his talent, intelligence, and education, expressing hope that Hegseth would be a successful, if not great, Secretary of Defense. The interview highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Hegseth and the administration’s handling of the situation, as well as Trump’s characteristically blunt and sometimes dismissive communication style.
