President Trump just called out ABC News for fabricating a phone call that never happened, turning a post-assassination attempt narrative into another media credibility crisis.
Story Snapshot
- Trump publicly accused ABC’s Jonathan Karl of falsely claiming that Trump called him after an assassination attempt to check on the reporter’s well-being
- The president revealed Karl actually initiated contact, calling Trump’s phone unanswered before confirming the truth in a follow-up conversation
- This confrontation builds on ABC’s $15 million defamation settlement with Trump in 2024 over false rape liability claims
- ABC News has issued no response to Trump’s allegations, leaving the dispute unresolved as tensions escalate
The Phone Call That Never Was
President Trump unleashed a pointed accusation against ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl on May 4, 2026, via Truth Social.
Karl allegedly stated that Trump called him early the morning after an assassination attempt on the president to check on Karl’s safety. Trump flatly denied this version of events, declaring the assassination attempt targeted him, not the reporter.
According to the president, Karl placed the unanswered call and then admitted to this sequence during a subsequent conversation with Trump.
The president labeled the reporting “very dishonest” from “ABC Fake News,” framing Karl’s account as self-aggrandizing fiction that distorted a life-threatening event.
President Trump: Jonathan Karl, of ABC Fake News, made a statement that I called him early in the morning, the day after the assassination attempt, to ask whether or not HE was OK. No, this was a hit on ME, not HIM, and I didn’t make such a call, why would I do that? He called… pic.twitter.com/F69MOFXhYT
— World Source News (@Worldsource24) May 4, 2026
The timing matters considerably. This clash occurred within days of an assassination attempt on Trump during his second term, a period when public sympathy naturally flows toward a targeted sitting president.
Karl’s purported claim shifted focus from Trump’s vulnerability to the reporter’s supposed importance in the president’s thoughts.
Trump’s rebuttal restored the narrative’s center of gravity, reasserting himself as the victim rather than Karl as a compassionate presidential concern.
No direct quote of Karl’s original statement appears in the available coverage, leaving uncertainty about exactly what the reporter said or where he said it before Trump’s public correction.
ABC’s Costly History With Trump
This latest confrontation sits atop a foundation of legal and rhetorical battles between Trump and ABC News. The network settled a $15 million defamation lawsuit with Trump in 2024 after anchor George Stephanopoulos falsely claimed on air that Trump was “liable for rape” in the E. Jean Carroll civil case during an interview with Representative Nancy Mace.
That massive payout established precedent for Trump’s willingness to pursue media organizations through courts when he perceives dishonest reporting. ABC’s vulnerability grew from that settlement, weakening its position in subsequent disputes while emboldening Trump’s aggressive media strategy.
Trump’s confrontations with ABC reporters extend beyond Stephanopoulos. Video footage captures the president dismissing ABC journalists in the Oval Office as “fake news” when pressed about IRS lawsuits.
On Air Force One, Trump called an ABC reporter “very obnoxious” and branded the network “the most corrupt news organization on the planet” during questions about Iran conflict strategy.
These patterns reveal ABC as a preferred target in Trump’s broader campaign against mainstream media, a designation the network earned through reporting that Trump considers biased and through legal missteps that cost them millions.
The Power of Direct Presidential Communication
Trump bypassed traditional media gatekeepers entirely by posting his Karl accusation directly to Truth Social. This platform allows the president to frame narratives without editorial filtering, reaching supporters instantaneously while forcing mainstream outlets to react to his version of events.
The strategic advantage proves substantial: Trump sets the terms of debate, ABC scrambles to formulate responses, and conservative media amplifies the president’s message without skepticism.
Jonathan Karl’s follow-up phone call to Trump, during which he reportedly confirmed initiating contact, happened privately before any public ABC statement could shape perceptions.
Trump Accuses ABC Reporter of False Claim https://t.co/DXE5oSJo5Q
— CallieBenson (@CallieforTrump) May 5, 2026
The absence of ABC’s counter-narrative creates a vacuum filled by Trump’s allegations. As of May 5, neither Karl nor ABC News issued public statements refuting the president’s claims or providing context for Karl’s original comments.
This silence hands Trump a tactical victory in the court of public opinion, particularly among audiences already skeptical of mainstream media.
The dispute may escalate if ABC eventually responds, potentially triggering another legal confrontation given Trump’s demonstrated willingness to sue news organizations over reporting he deems defamatory.
The president’s dominance in this exchange reflects broader power dynamics in which executive authority, legal precedent, and direct-to-audience platforms combine to put traditional media on the defensive.
Sources:
Trump Accuses ABC Reporter of False Claim – Newsmax
