White House Communications Director Steven Cheung got into a war of words on X with a staffer for Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) — and ended the exchange by angrily using the R-word.The online clash began Tuesday when Cheung took exception to Rachel Cohen, communications director for Warner, for questioning why CNN was interviewing Tricia McLaughlin.Cohen called McLaughlin, a former Department of Homeland Security spokesperson and Trump ally, “easily the most mendacious spokesperson I’ve had the displeasure of encountering in 15 years of doing this.”“What could she POSSIBLY have to say that adds to viewers’ understanding of anything??” she added.WHY is CNN interviewing Tricia McLaughlin right nowShe is easily the most mendacious spokesperson I've had the displeasure of encountering in 15 years of doing this. What could she POSSIBLY have to say that adds to viewers' understanding of anything??— rachel cohen (@rcohen) April 28, 2026Cheung quote-posted Cohen’s comments and responded:“Don’t be jealous you’ll never get booked on TV because you’re a loser.”He praised McLaughlin as “one of the best communicators around” and suggested Cohen “can learn a thing or two from her.”“But you won’t because, again, you’re a loser,” he added.Don’t be jealous you’ll never get booked on TV because you’re a loser. @TriciaOhio is one of the best communicators around. You can learn a thing or two from her. But you won’t because, again, you’re a loser. https://t.co/24h5aoJTPF— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) April 28, 2026Cohen fired back, writing:“Hey Steven, remember the time you were so bad at your job the West Wing called to ask us to intervene with the media to protect national security? Because you couldn’t get it done? I was told you were the one handling that story. I’d be happy to teach you how to do it next time!”Hey Steven, remember the time you were so bad at your job the West Wing called to ask us to intervene with the media to protect national security? Because you couldn’t get it done? I was told you were the one handling that story. I’d be happy to teach you how to do it next time! https://t.co/KBw3SlM1ak— rachel cohen (@rcohen) April 28, 2026Cheung then replied:“Hey retard, you must be thinking of someone else. Nobody would ask your simple ass for help.”Cheung has a long history of using Trump-style attacks against the president’s critics and members of the media, including HuffPost’s own S.V. Date, who ask questions he doesn’t want to answer.Meanwhile, Donald Trump himself has used the R-word slur on multiple occasions.The NewsCan't Wait.Neither Can We.Your SupportFuelsOur MissionYour SupportFuelsOur MissionSupport HuffPostMisinformation spreads fast. Fact-based reporting is how we fight back. Your membership funds the reporters holding power accountable every single day. Join HuffPost and be part of our mission.We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.“Our fierce, independent reporting and unvarnished perspective hold power to account and inform millions of readers. Please support this hard-hitting journalism.”Whitney SnyderEditor-in-Chief HuffPostSupport $5/monthSilverMonthly recurring supporter-only emailFewer requests for financial supportSupport $10/monthGoldEverything in the Silver TierAd-free access on the HuffPost website OR HuffPost appsSay goodbye to annoying video interruptions while you read. No more autoplay videos.Support $20/monthPlatinumEverything in the Gold TierAd-free access on the HuffPost website AND HuffPost appsEarly access to new featuresMembership to Platinum Club focus groupMake a One Time ContributionJoin HuffPostAlready a member? Log in to hide these messages.Close