Amid enhanced scrutiny regarding former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman revealed in an excerpt of her upcoming book that White House staffers confirmed they constantly found documents flushed down the toilet of the White House residence, often resulting in clogging. They suspected Trump himself flushed them.
The revelation comes as other reports confirm Trump repeatedly tore up classified documents, improperly removed other documents from the White House that eventually had to be retrieved by the National Archives, and other documents were destroyed in "burn bags" during Trump's time in the White House.
Also included in the book are reports that Trump still maintains correspondence with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The former President has often bragged about their "love letters" in the past.
While Haberman received some criticism from Democrats accusing her of deliberately delaying the disclosure of important information in order to increase her book sales, no criticism was as biting as Trump's, who responded with his trademark bitterness.
His response was issued in a statement through his spokeswoman Liz Harrington.
NEW!
President Donald J. Trump:
"Yet another fake book, by a reporter who knows nothing about me, Maggot Haberman of the New York Times, is making up stories about my relationship with foreign leaders. She claims I speak with Kim Jong Un of North Korea,... pic.twitter.com/MnrguiZ1AN
— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) February 11, 2022
Trump wrote:
"Yet another fake book, by a reporter who knows nothing about me, Maggot Haberman of the New York Times, is making up stories about my relationship with foreign leaders. She claims I speak with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, but not other world leaders. Wrong!"
Though not responding directly to the insult, Haberman took the statement as confirmation of her reporting that Trump is telling those in his orbit that he still converses with Kim.
Other social media users, however, were disgusted.
Well that's a new high in low for Trump calling Maggie Maggot on purpose. Anyone who works for the NYT & does their homework like Maggie does has my respect. I will be buying Maggie's new book titled Confidence Man.
Trump is shakin in his booties at what this will reveal. https://t.co/YO6HG63U15
— Rebecca Clester (@ClesterRebecca) February 11, 2022
"Maggot Haberman," Is it possible for this his childish imbecile to disgrace himself and his former office any more than he already has? https://t.co/iX1UxIrGdL
— ⭐️ Merrily vaccinated agnostic⭐️ (@MerrillLynched) February 11, 2022
There's nothing new here. It's the same old crazy word salad from the guy who summoned his cult to attempt a coup. https://t.co/gz3fgvV6X6
— TweetingIt (@TweetingIt1) February 11, 2022
Well @SenMikeLee and @RepChrisStewart.
The man you protect just called a woman MAGGOT. 👇
MAGGOT.
Yes Maggot.
Utah will remember how you ACTIVELY support and refuse to condemn this disgusting insane liar man. @sltrib @Deseret @ktvx @KUTV2News @fox13 https://t.co/QjNfseuvVZ
— Harrison Fjord 🕗 (@HarrisonFjord9) February 11, 2022
Trump issues a statement, referring to NY Times journalist Maggie Haberman as "Maggot" Haberman.
I suppose it would be clever if this was a pre-teen trying to make a joke. Imagine being a former leader of a country in your 70s and feeling the need to disseminate this. pic.twitter.com/phZNlj7ciN
— 𝒱𝓲я𝓉𝓊𝕠s𝕠 (@Vir7uos0) February 11, 2022
I wasn't planning to order Maggie's book, but once Trump calls her "Maggot Haberman" (and this isn't a typo - he has aids put this out as a press release - AND confirms he's talking to KJU of NK - I'm going to buy her book. pic.twitter.com/hjsdu4AUvT
— Jefferson (@jeffersonalle) February 11, 2022
Trump's supporters, however, applauded the juvenile insult.
Maggot Haberman! Omg! https://t.co/riZA8z8IJ8
— LudwigVanMAGA 🇺🇸 (@LudwigVanMAGA) February 11, 2022
"Maggot Haberman" 🤣🤣🤣🤣@Shem_Infinite @k_ovfefe2 https://t.co/gojRfaerSZ
— Lego sets are infrastructure🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 (@BigRfaze) February 11, 2022
Not sure if it was a typo or not, but "Maggot" is a good name for #fakenews @maggieNYT https://t.co/ybfHG4UVHG
— 🇺🇸 Mike 🇺🇸 (@mike__122) February 11, 2022
Haberman's book is set to be released later this summer, but more revelations are certain to unfold.