Trump curses at TIME reporter for not asking 'one f***ing positive question' in combative Oval Office interview

From the Newshound archive · first published 1 October 2026 · last updated 2 October 2026.

President Donald Trump erupted at TIME magazine journalists during a wide-ranging Oval Office interview, insisting reporters had failed to ask him a single positive question across the entire session. Trump claimed to have "the highest of IQs" before the outburst, and defended his Washington DC renovation projects, saying fixing up the White House was "relaxing" for him. He also spoke on Iran, White House pardons and Mitch McConnell's health while growing visibly frustrated with the line of questioning.

Trump had previously banned CNN, MSNBC and Politico from the White House, a move a federal judge found likely unconstitutional.

Asked about Iran, Trump claimed he is "doing very well with the war" and boasted of "another war that we already won" — a reference to the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Trump rejected the Secret Service's suggestion to demolish and rebuild the Oval Office, though he declined to commit on the future of the Kennedy Center, which he has made repeated attempts to give his own name.