A resurfaced television clip from the early 1990s is gaining renewed attention online, and it offers a striking reminder of how Donald Trump has long handled tough questioning from journalists.
The footage, originally aired by CNN in 1990, shows Trump abruptly walking out of an interview after being pressed about the shaky finances of his Atlantic City casinos. At the time, Trump was a high-profile real estate developer facing mounting scrutiny over debt and bankruptcies issues that would later become central to debates about his fitness for office.
As CNN reporter Charles Feldman attempted to ask a follow-up question about negative assessments of Trump’s business dealings, Trump cut him off mid-sentence. Visibly angry, he snapped, “Do the interview with somebody else,” before unclipping his microphone and attempting to toss it onto the table. Moments later, he stood up and ended the interview entirely.
Feldman pushed back, reminding Trump that the line of questioning had been discussed beforehand. Trump dismissed the explanation, accusing the reporter of unfair and negative coverage, and claimed the interview was unnecessary. He then exited the room, offering a handshake on his way out while Feldman called after him, stressing that nothing had been asked without prior agreement.
What’s striking is how familiar this behavior looks in hindsight.
Fast forward three decades, and a similar scene played out during Trump’s presidency. In 2020, he abruptly walked out of a scheduled 60 Minutes interview with CBS News after growing irritated by questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The interview, conducted by veteran journalist Lesley Stahl at the White House, ended early after roughly 45 minutes. Trump later claimed the network already had “enough material” and accused Stahl of misconduct, while then–Chief of Staff Mark Meadows criticized her questioning as biased.
The pattern is hard to ignore. From his days as a casino magnate to his time in the Oval Office, Trump has repeatedly reacted to tough, fact-based journalism not with answers, but with anger, walkouts, and attacks on the press. For many observers, the resurfaced CNN clip isn’t just a viral moment it’s a snapshot of a leadership style that struggles with accountability and transparency.
As debates around media freedom, presidential temperament, and democratic norms continue, these moments from Trump’s past and present remain deeply relevant and increasingly difficult to dismiss.
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