Donald Trump Dodges Iran Question to Praise Fox News host Dana Perino's Beauty — 'You May Be Even Better Looking'

Critics have accused President Donald Trump of avoiding or downplaying serious issues on several instances in the past. A similar thing happened recently as the president once again appeared to divert a serious question about people in Iran struggling for food and water, and instead started discussing the interviewer’s beauty.

During a live interview with Fox News host Dana Perino, Trump was asked about the atrocities that the war has brought to Iran. When he was asked about the present living conditions in the Middle Eastern country, Trump suddenly brought up a past lunch he had with Perino in New York.

After recently sparking major health concerns as he was seen "in distress" when his head jerked and his eyes rolled back during an event, Trump made headlines for creating an awkward moment during a live TV interview with Perino.

During the interview, Perino asked a serious question to the president about the condition of people in Iran, saying it was “upsetting” that no one could see how they were doing without internet access. She wondered if people in the Middle Eastern country had food and clean drinking water.

“I think it is alarming that we have not been able to see or hear from any of the Iranian people, and I think that is because their internet is shut down,” she said. “Do you have any insight into how they're doing? Do they have drinking water? Do they have food? It's upsetting.”

However, instead of answering the question, Trump changed the topic completely. He asked Perino if she remembers the lunch they once had at the Trump Tower and then began praising her appearance. “Do you remember when we had lunch years ago at the base of Trump Tower? You haven't changed, you have not changed,” he said.

As Perino appeared uncomfortable when the conversation shifted away from the crisis, Trump took note of it and went on to explain himself. “Now I'm not allowed to say this, it's the end of my political career,” he said.

Trump added, “You may be even better looking, OK? I don't know what you're doing. But I will not say that because that will end my political career. You're not allowed to say a woman is beautiful anymore.”

This isn't the first time that Trump has drawn attention for commenting on a woman’s appearance during public events. Since returning to office for his second tenure, the 79-year-old has made similar remarks about several women in powerful roles.

During a Cabinet meeting in August 2025, Trump spoke about Attorney General Pam Bondi and said, “Look at Pam. I would never say she was beautiful because that would be the end of my political career,” while still hinting at her appearance.

Similarly, a month earlier, at a reception with Republican lawmakers, he repeatedly called Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard the “hottest in the room.” Trump said, “She’s like, hotter than everybody. She’s the hottest one in the room right now."

“Speaker [Mike Johnson], she’s hotter than you right now, speaker. She’s the hottest person in the room right now, speaker.” he stated. Further, in October 2025, Trump made another comment while talking about Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk.

Praising her beauty and then adding that it is rare for someone to be both very beautiful and very smart, the 79-year-old said, “I was with [Charlie] before I met Erika. And he told me he was going to get married.”

Trump continued, “He said, 'You won't believe how beautiful she is’. But then he also said, 'And you know what? She's like the smartest person I know'.” He added, “See, they do go together on occasion. Not often. Not often. But on occasion, they go together."

These repeated remarks on women's appearance, and the recent awkward moment that he created on live television with Perino, have now sparked backlash. They come in the wake of mounting criticism against the Trump administration for withholding the Jeffrey Epstein files with accusations against the president.