The president referred to Haberman as a type of larvae on Truth Social

NEED TO KNOW

• The New York Times defended Maggie Haberman after Trump criticized her reporting on his 9/11 anniversary plans
• Trump called Haberman derogatory names and accused her of fabricating stories about him
• Journalists, including CNN’s Jake Tapper, condemned Trump’s remarks and praised Haberman’s professionalism and reporting

The New York Times has defended its reporting after President Donald Trump attacked reporter Maggie Haberman over a story concerning his plans for the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

In a statement, the newspaper said the report was based on information from multiple people familiar with discussions and planning surrounding New York’s Sept. 11 ceremony and said it remained confident in the accuracy of its reporting. Haberman has since reposted the statement on social media.

“We won’t be issuing a retraction,” the outlet said in a Wednesday, Sept. 9, statement on X. “This is another all too common example of the president lashing out at coverage he doesn’t like and belittling journalists who report the facts.”

The response came after Trump publicly criticized Haberman following the publication of her report, which said he planned to skip the anniversary ceremony in New York, in part because he had wanted to speak at the event, where speeches are not conducted.

Trump targeted Haberman directly in an Aug. 28 post on Truth Social, writing, “Maggot Hagerman, the Fake Reporter from The Failing New York Times, an unattractive person both inside and out, and who knows less about me than most reporters on the beat (She’s a SCAMMER!), made up a story that on September 11th.”

“Maggot Hagerman is a PHONY,” he continued. “She’s been falsely writing about me for years — She’s a stalker, and should be forced to turn over any and all money that she’s made through her fake reporting on me.”

“I hereby demand a retraction from Maggot,” the president, 80, wrote in a Tuesday, Sept. 8, Truth Social post.

Trump’s comments about Haberman have also drawn criticism from journalists and media figures. CNN’s Jake Tapper condemned the remarks.

“I’m not going to repost the filth the president wrote about Maggie Haberman, but suffice it to say she’s a great person, beautiful inside and out, an incredible mom and wife and colleague, and an amazing journalist,” Tapper wrote on X. “The president’s comments are disgusting and beneath the office.”

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The dispute comes as Haberman continues to report extensively on Trump’s second presidency. When asked about her reaction to the president’s post during an interview with MS NOW, Haberman said that she stands by her reporting.

“We had multiple sources on this,” she said. “There were several reporters on it. It was quite airtight. We approached the White House, we got a benign comment and we did not get any pushback.”

“And then 24 hours later the president very angrily denied it,” she continued. “People can decide what they think about a denial that comes 24 hours later.”

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