India, May 13 -- Donald Trump has sparked controversy after calling a female reporter a "dumb person" during a heated exchange outside the White House that has since gone viral. The confrontation unfolded Tuesday as Trump prepared to depart aboard Marine One for a trip to China.

While speaking to reporters near the South Lawn, the president was asked about the construction of the controversial White House ballroom project, according to reports from The Mirror US. Amid the noise of the helicopter engines, Trump defended the project and insisted the expansion was progressing smoothly and remaining within budget.

"So what happened is we have a ballroom that's under budget. It's going up right here," Trump told reporters while gesturing tow...