Trump Skips Over Reporter's Question About 6 U.S. Soldiers Who Died: 'Who Else?'

President Donald Trump insulted and ignored reporters' questions about the war in Iran over the weekend.

On Sunday, March 15, the president gaggled with members of the press aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington, D.C., where he'd spent the weekend golfing and hosting a roundtable dinner for his MAGA Inc. super PAC. During the flight, he was resistant to answering questions about the U.S. and Israel's joint military action in Iran, which hit its two-week mark the day prior.

One reporter, reportedly identified as ABC News' Mariam Khan, asked about a recent fundraising email sent by Trump's Never Surrender PAC. The email, which promised MAGA faithful access to "private national security briefings" for a fee, included a photo of the president attending the March 7 dignified transfer of six servicemen killed in Kuwait at the start of the war.

The photo of the president saluting one of the soldiers' coffins, while wearing a white "USA" baseball cap, was converted to black and white for the email, in which he promises subscribers "unfiltered updates on the threats facing America. The straight truth on border invasions, foreign adversaries, deep state sabotage, and every danger the fake news hides."

When Khan asked if he thought the use of the image for fundraising was "appropriate," he said, "I do. I didn’t see it. We have a lot of people who send things out."

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After boasting how "no president has ever been better for the military," Trump asked Khan who she was with. When she told him, he dismissed her again and tore into the network.

"ABC, I think it's maybe the most corrupt news organization on the planet. I think they're terrible," the president said. "I don't want any more from ABC."

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Khan then asked about recent reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had approved a request to deploy "an amphibious ready group and attached Marine expeditionary unit, typically consisting of several warships and 5,000 Marines and sailors," according to The Wall Street Journal.

"Can you explain why we're sending 5,000 Marines and sailors?" the reporter questioned.

Trump put his finger to his mouth and shushed her, adding, "You're a very obnoxious person."

Toward the end of the press gaggle, Khan asked, "Do you have a comment on the six service members who passed?" Her question was seemingly referencing the six airmen who were killed in a plane crash in western Iraq on March 12.

Trump dismissed the question with a wave of his hand and looked around the cabin, saying, "Go ahead. Who else?"

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ABC isn't the only network to whom Trump has been openly hostile in the White House press pool. He frequently targets CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins, insulting her personally when she has asked questions about policy or recent events.

In December 2025, Trump said Collins is “always stupid, and nasty" in a Truth Social post after she inquired about the controversial remodeling of the White House ballroom.

The president has also chastised the reporter for not smiling while interviewing him. On Feb. 3, after a question from Collins about the Epstein files, he retorted, “You are the worst reporter. No wonder CNN... CNN has no ratings because of people like you."

"I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile. I’ve known you for 10 years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face," he continued. “You know why you’re not smiling? Because you know you’re not telling the truth. You’re a very dishonest organization and they should be ashamed of you.”

"Well I'm asking you about [Epstein] survivors," she replied.