Donald Trump Faces Backlash After Downplaying Domestic Violence As “Things That Take Place in the Home.”

President Donald Trump is facing heavy criticism after remarks at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. on September 8. While touting his crime-fighting record, Trump referred to domestic violence incidents as “lesser” crimes and brushed them off as “a little fight with the wife.”

Trump claimed violent crime in D.C. had dropped “87 percent,” adding that he couldn’t say it was 100 percent because of

“things that take place in the home” that officials still label as crime.

The clip immediately went viral on social media, sparking outrage.

“Domestic violence is a crime. Trump wants Maga men to be able to smack their wives along,” one user fired back on X.

Trump: “Things that take place in the home they call crime….If a man has a little fight with the wife, they say this is a crime.” pic.twitter.com/KxCFnZqqRd

— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) September 8, 2025

Advocates and community leaders quickly condemned the comments. The DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence reminded the public that intimate partner violence is a serious offense, often escalating into life-threatening situations. “It’s more than a ‘little fight,’” the group stressed.

The White House later tried to clarify, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying the president wasn’t dismissing domestic violence, but pointing to statistics he believes are inflated. Still, survivors’ advocates and lawmakers say his words were dismissive and dangerous.