During a recent White House press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump found himself in a moment of contention with a reporter regarding the new H-1B visa policy. As the journalist posed a question about whether major tech companies were on board with the recently announced $100,000 fee for H-1B applications, President Trump paused, stating he couldn’t understand her accent and urged her to “Speak more clearly.”
The exchange, captured on video and shared widely, shows the reporter reiterating her question about “Big Tech” companies, which Trump initially misheard as “Big Tax.” This led to further confusion before the journalist clarified her intended meaning. The reporter’s accent was a topic of speculation among viewers, with some suggesting she might be Indian, while others pointed to European or South Asian inflections.
This incident is not the first time President Trump has commented on a reporter’s accent during a press briefing. Similar remarks were made earlier in the year, drawing accusations that he was using the reporter’s accent as a way to avoid a question about anti-India activities in the U.S.
The new H-1B visa policy, announced on Friday, introduces a significant one-time fee of $100,000 for all new H-1B applications. This policy, which could have major implications for the tech industry, was announced alongside a preview of a $1 million “gold card” residency program. The White House later clarified that the new fee specifically targets new applicants and does not affect current visa holders.