‘WTF Does That Mean’: Donald Trump Sparks Fury on Fox After Patting ‘Good’ Black Reporter ‘Like a Dog’; the Moment Took a Turn When Viewers Zoomed In
President Donald Trump, 79, raised some eyebrows among his critics for what appeared to be a simple hand gesture on live television.
Trump stopped by the “Fox & Friends” morning program on Sept. 12 to provide an update on the killing of conservative activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk.
A gunman shot the 31-year-old on Sept. 10, while he was on stage at Utah Valley University for a Turning Point USA event. The father of two later passed away at a local hospital.
Moments into his appearance about the investigation, Trump turned to “Fox & Friends” co-host Lawrence Jones, seated next to him on the couch, and lightly patted the libertarian on the knee.
“Lawrence is doing a good job,” Trump proclaimed when Jones asked the Republican politician about his earlier claims that the alleged Utah Valley shooter was part of the “radical left,” a supposed detail about the suspect that had not been confirmed by investigators.
The MAGA leader also told Jones, “I’ll tell you what. I’m very proud of you. I said you were going to do well.” He then proceeded to slap the 32-year-old Garland, Texas native’s leg twice.
A clip of Trump’s interaction with Jones was shared on The Neighborhood Talk’s Instagram page. The outlet captioned the post, “It definitely gave ‘good boy’ vibes,” implying the president’s knee taps had bigoted undertones.
Many Instagram users co-signed that caption with their own comments, with one person suggesting Trump was actually demeaning the Black reporter.
“Did he pet this man like a dog?” a second commenter expressed about the exchange between Trump and Jones. While another confirmed, “Man he patted him like a pet.”
Similarly, someone on the app said, “They said you were going to do well WTF that mean? Wipe that smile off his face so fast ‘unhand me’!”
Others zoomed in on the reporter’s facial expression to note, “That smile wiped clean off his face.” “He might as well had rubbed his head,” said another observer.
But this isn’t Trump’s first time taking a liking to a reporter in front of a live audience. Back in June, White House Correspondent Hariana Veras accepted an invitation to the Oval Office, where Trump couldn’t take his eye off the African reporter, noting repeatedly how “beautiful” she was.
“I’m not allowed to say that. You know that could be the end of my political career,” the president joked amongst a room full of people. “But you are beautiful and you’re beautiful inside. I wish I had more reporters like you,” he continued.
The flirty moment had everyone in tears from laughing, with many claiming Trump had a crush on the Black reporter.
On Jan. 20, 2025, Trump returned to the White House for a second, nonconsecutive term as the President of the United States. Americans elected him in the 2024 election over then-Vice President Kamala Harris.