“What a stupid question,” President Donald Trump snapped at a female reporter aboard Air Force One on Monday, then said it again.
Trump was flying to Waterford Township, Michigan, when a reporter asked why he wanted the Senate to stay in Washington instead of heading home to campaign ahead of November’s midterm elections.
The bill at issue is the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. It would require voters to show proof of citizenship to register. The Senate has twice voted it down, 48-50, according to Democracy Docket.
During the flight, a reporter pressed him on the issue.
“On the Senate, on the SAVE Act, why do you want the U.S. Senate to stay in town?” she asked. “Shouldn’t they be out across the country campaigning?”
“What a stupid question,” Trump said.
“Should they be out and be campaigning though?” she pressed.
“What a stupid question,” Trump said again — then appeared to address CBS News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs, an Iowa native he has known since the 2016 caucuses, mid-answer. “Because Jennifer asked such a stupid — she’s a smart person.”
“So listen, why do I want — the SAVE Act has to be done,” Trump said. “They shouldn’t leave town. I’m not gonna stop them from doing it, but they should get the SAVE Act done.”