During a press briefing at Joint Base Andrews, an unusual incident occurred when a reporter accidentally struck President Donald Trump in the face with a boom microphone. Footage circulating on social media captures the moment: as President Trump was engaged in conversation with the press, he suddenly paused, raising his eyebrows in visible surprise.
Oops! A journalist poked Trump in the face with a microphone
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 15, 2025
The woman immediately apologized, but the U.S. president still seemed displeased.
Remember this moment if you ever find yourself in an awkward situation at work. pic.twitter.com/eh0aEK9I7s
The President quickly turned the situation into a light-hearted moment, commenting with a smile, “She just became a big story.”
As of now, the media outlet represented by the reporter involved in the incident has not been disclosed.
Changes in Media Relations with the White House?
While the event appears to be an unfortunate accident, it has gained additional political significance following remarks by Kari Lake, the newly appointed director of Voice of America (VOA). Shortly after the incident, Lake announced plans to alter how U.S. authorities collaborate with the media.
In a social media post, Lake stated, “I moved today to cancel expensive and unnecessary newswire contracts for US Agency for Global Media, including tens-of-millions of dollars in contracts with The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse.”
She elaborated that the administration should not be paying external news organizations for content, emphasizing that the taxpayer-funded USAGM should prioritize direct news production. Lake also addressed the Joint Base Andrews incident, questioning, “What news agency hit the President of the United States in the face with a microphone? This is inexcusable.”
While this incident is unlikely to directly influence the White House’s media policy—given President Trump’s characteristic humor—the move to cut costs reflects ongoing efforts to optimize U.S. finances. These funds were previously allocated to organizations and media outlets that, according to some, did not always provide unbiased information.