Donald Trump lashed out at ABC News on Tuesday, refusing to take questions from the network after a tense interview between George Stephanopoulos and Vice President JD Vance over a bribery accusation involving Trump’s former border czar, Tom Homan.

In a dramatic display of defiance, former President Donald Trump shut down an ABC News reporter during a tense exchange on Tuesday, less than 48 hours after a heated clash between longtime anchor George Stephanopoulos and Vice President JD Vance.

The escalating conflict centers around a controversial interview in which Stephanopoulos pressed Vance on a bribery accusation involving Tom Homan, Trump’s former border czar.

The episode unfolded after Trump’s meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei, when he was approached by reporters at the White House.

As soon as a reporter from ABC News attempted to ask a question, Trump wasted no time, calling out the network for what he described as biased reporting.

“You’re ABC fake news,” Trump declared, cutting the reporter off mid-question. “I don’t take questions from ABC fake news after what you did with Stephanopoulos and the Vice President. No, not happening.”

The comment came on the heels of an interview that rocked Washington, D.C., over the weekend, during which Stephanopoulos pressed Vance on a sensitive subject—the alleged bribery of Homan, recorded in an FBI sting operation in 2024.

During the exchange, Stephanopoulos repeatedly asked the Vice President about the specifics of the case, which led to an uncomfortable back-and-forth.

It all started with a simple question about whether Homan had kept a bribe payment from undercover FBI agents in an operation that spanned several months.

The agents, posing as business executives, had captured audio of Homan accepting $50,000 in cash, allegedly in exchange for helping them secure government contracts under a potential second Trump administration.

When Stephanopoulos pressed for answers, Vance dismissed the question as a distraction, accusing the network of engaging in “left-wing rabbit holes.”

“I think the American people would benefit much more from talking about the government shutdown than listening to your biased questions,” Vance said, clearly frustrated.

But Stephanopoulos wasn’t backing down. “It’s not a weird left-wing rabbit hole,” he shot back. “I didn’t insinuate anything. I asked you whether Homan took the $50,000, and you didn’t answer the question.”

The interview took a sharp turn as Stephanopoulos, growing visibly agitated, wrapped up the segment by cutting Vance off before he could clarify his position. “Thank you for your time this morning,” Stephanopoulos said curtly. “We’ll be right back.”

Vance, who had hoped to clarify the issue, attempted to interject. But the damage had been done. The broadcast went to a commercial break, leaving viewers wondering if the Vice President would ever get the chance to explain his side of the story.

In the days following the interview, the fallout was swift. Trump, who had been following the exchange, made it clear that he was not pleased with the treatment of his Vice President.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he lambasted ABC News as “fake news” and made it clear that he would not tolerate any more questions from the network, citing Stephanopoulos’ handling of the Vance interview.

“Stephanopoulos was disrespectful,” Trump continued. “They are totally biased, and I won’t stand for it. I’ve had enough of ABC’s fake narrative.”

Trump’s disdain for the network is no secret. In December 2024, he settled a lawsuit against ABC for $16 million after Stephanopoulos made false statements during an interview about his legal battles, including his civil case involving writer E. Jean Carroll.

The network eventually paid the hefty sum as part of a settlement, and Trump’s legal fees were also covered. It was a major win for the former President, who has long been vocal about his grievances with mainstream media outlets.

This recent clash between Stephanopoulos and Vance is just the latest in a string of confrontations between Trump’s administration and ABC News.

Earlier this year, Trump also lashed out at the network following a controversial segment on “This Week,” where Stephanopoulos questioned Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace about her support for a presidential candidate who had been “found liable for rape.”

In that instance, the network’s coverage led to more public fallout, with Trump’s legal team accusing Stephanopoulos of malice and reckless disregard for the truth.

The settlement agreed to by ABC News included a $15 million charitable contribution to Trump’s presidential library, as well as a public apology on the network’s website.

Despite the ongoing tensions, ABC News has remained a key player in political coverage, and Stephanopoulos’ interviews are seen by many as pivotal moments in the political news cycle.

But Trump’s response suggests that the feud between his administration and the network is far from over. With a potential second campaign for the presidency looming, the former President’s attacks on the media are only intensifying.

The controversy surrounding Tom Homan has only added fuel to the fire.

While Homan is not a public official at the time the alleged bribe took place, his role as Trump’s “border czar” once he was appointed to the position in late 2024 raised questions about the legitimacy of the entire situation.

The FBI’s investigation into Homan, which was shut down in early 2025 after Trump took office, has sparked accusations of political interference.

Trump allies argue that the investigation was nothing more than a “deep state” plot designed to undermine the administration.

In a statement to the media, officials from the Department of Justice defended the closure of the investigation, citing a lack of credible evidence to support the bribery claims.

“The investigation was thoroughly reviewed, and there was no substantiated wrongdoing,” said FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“The Department of Justice is committed to focusing its resources on real threats to national security, not politically motivated cases.”

Despite the lack of formal charges against Homan, the issue has become a point of contention for both sides of the political aisle. Critics of Trump’s administration argue that the investigation’s closure reflects a pattern of shielding allies from accountability.

But Trump’s supporters view the case as another example of partisan overreach, with the FBI and the media working together to derail his political ambitions.

Whether or not the Homan case will have lasting consequences remains to be seen. But for now, it’s clear that Trump’s feud with ABC News shows no signs of letting up.

As the 2025 election cycle continues to heat up, the former President’s war on “fake news” and the media’s treatment of his administration are sure to be a central theme in his campaign strategy.

For now, ABC News is left licking its wounds from yet another verbal attack from Trump, and it’s unclear whether they’ll make any attempt to repair their relationship with the former President.

One thing is certain: Trump’s battle against the media is far from over, and he’s willing to fight back, no matter the cost.