In a recent incident at the Versailles restaurant and bakery in Miami, a journalist from the British network Sky News was forcibly ejected from the premises after posing a question to indicted former Republican President Donald Trump.
The encounter occurred shortly after Trump's arrest and arraignment on a 37-count indictment in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case. The journalist, Sophie Alexander, faced verbal abuse and physical intimidation from Trump's ardent supporters during the incident and was called a "stupid "b*tch" when she asked Trump if he's "ready to go to jail."
captured the hostility she faced on video and shared it on Twitter. As she posed the question, asking Trump if he was prepared to go to jail, she was met with boos and insults. A man grabbed her arm, but another individual intervened, instructing him not to touch her.
While leaving the cafe, Alexander was confronted by an individual who verbally attacked her, calling her a "stupid b*tch."
You can see Alexander's video below.
\u201cI was just thrown out of the Versailles bakery in Miami for asking President Trump if he was ready to go to jail. A man screamed \u2018stupid bitch\u2019 in my face while others said I was a \u2018traitor\u2019 #TrumpArraignment\u201d— Sophie Alexander (@Sophie Alexander) 1686688819
In a subsequent blog post for Sky News, Alexander recounted the incident and provided her perspective.
"During a quiet second I asked [Trump]: 'President Trump are you ready to go to jail?' He didn't reply. I asked again and was met with a furious crowd booing and shouting 'get her out.'"
"I tried to step down from the chair I was standing on and a man grabbed my arm before another told him not to touch me. As I was leaving the cafe another yelled 'stupid b****' in my face."
"Not surprising perhaps. These are the most ardent of Trump supporters in a state where he is seen as King."
Many condemned the actions of Trump's supporters while praising Alexander for the way she handled the situation.
\u201c@SophieAlex1 Why do they hate the first amendment?\u201d— Sophie Alexander (@Sophie Alexander) 1686688819
\u201c@SophieAlex1 Thank you for speaking what so many are thinking!\u201d— Sophie Alexander (@Sophie Alexander) 1686688819
\u201c@SophieAlex1 Kudos for your courage. Keep asking the tough questions!\u201d— Sophie Alexander (@Sophie Alexander) 1686688819
\u201c@SophieAlex1 These people admire the man who brags about sexually assaulting women. Disgusting.\u201d— Sophie Alexander (@Sophie Alexander) 1686688819
\u201c@SophieAlex1 That earns a follow. More journalists need to be asking that question. And more.\u201d— Sophie Alexander (@Sophie Alexander) 1686688819
\u201c@SophieAlex1 @justinhendrix This earned you a follow. And I\u2019m glad you made it out of there safely. Those people are in for some seriously rude awakenings over the next year and a half.\u201d— Sophie Alexander (@Sophie Alexander) 1686688819
\u201c@SophieAlex1 Wow you are a brave person. This was planned so he could look like a big man.\u201d— Sophie Alexander (@Sophie Alexander) 1686688819
\u201c@SophieAlex1 Thank you for being there for most of America!\u201d— Sophie Alexander (@Sophie Alexander) 1686688819
The incident exemplifies the ongoing animosity towards the media Trump has fostered, branding the free press as "fake news" and "enemies of the people."
Throughout his presidency and beyond, Trump has consistently targeted the press, using derogatory terms to undermine their credibility. His supporters, inflamed by his rhetoric, have frequently expressed animosity towards journalists, leading to instances of verbal and even physical abuse.
Kerry Dolan/Forbes
@teddysphotos/Instagram