While many have taken to social media to remember Barbara Walters for her trailblazing career, others have also dug deep into the archives to highlight an iconic "20/20" interview between the award-winning journalist and businessman Donald J. Trump from 1990. In the clip (above), Walters interrogates the future president about his finances. According to Newsweek, at the time of the interview, Walters was specifically interested in Trump's 1988 purchase of the Plaza hotel in New York City, a property he purchased for $407.5 million, but ultimately sold for $325 million in 1995. Walters goes on to highlight Trump's billions of dollars in debt — facts she confirmed with Trump's own bankers — while also touching on his questionable interests.
And now, as this clip gains traction on Twitter — on the same day Trump's tax returns were released, no less — users are praising the late journalist for not backing down. "Reporters of today could learn something from Barbara Walters. Notice how she wouldn't let Donald Trump keep lying? Notice how she wouldn't let him cut her off? Notice how she kept stating facts? May she rest in peace!" one user posted. "OMG there isn't another journalist working today who could own Donald Trump as thoroughly as Barbara Walters did in less than 2 minutes," another person tweeted. "Barbara Walters KNEW and called him on it even back then," another user added. Walters unique approach and distinct talent will surely be admired for generations to come.
