President Donald Trump publicly rebuked CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins during an exchange in the Oval Office on Tuesday, interrupting her questions and criticising her appearance and demeanour as she sought answers about the latest release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
As Collins attempted to press the president on issues concerning Epstein’s sexual abuse victims, Trump cut her off, calling her “the worst reporter” and remarking sarcastically on her facial expression.
“She’s a young woman. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile,” Trump said while seated at the Resolute Desk. “I’ve known you for 10 years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face.”
When Collins pointed out that her question concerned Epstein’s victims, Trump interrupted again, telling her: “You know why you’re not smiling? Because you know you’re not telling the truth.”
A familiar confrontation
Collins, who serves as CNN’s chief White House correspondent, has covered Trump extensively since his first presidential campaign in 2016 and is a frequent target of his criticism.
Earlier in the same news conference, Trump had responded calmly to two of Collins’s questions about the Epstein documents. The exchange escalated when she asked a follow-up question focusing on the victims, prompting the president to launch a personal attack.
“You are so bad,” Trump said. “You are the worst reporter. No wonder CNN has no ratings because of people like you.”
Pattern of attacks on women reporters
The episode fits a broader pattern in which Trump has repeatedly singled out female journalists for insults and dismissive remarks. During the previous year, he cut off a Bloomberg News reporter with the remark, “Quiet! Quiet, piggy.”
In December, Trump also targeted Collins in a post on Truth Social, referring to her as “Stupid and Nasty” and describing CNN as “Fake News.”
CNN response
Shortly after the exchange, CNN issued a statement defending Collins, describing her as “an exceptional journalist” who reports “with real depth and tenacity.” The network has released similar statements in the past, reflecting the frequency with which Trump has publicly attacked her.
As reporters were escorted out of the Oval Office following the exchange, Trump was overheard telling Republican Senator John Barrasso that Collins “never smiles,” gesturing towards the press.
The incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s relationship with the media, particularly his confrontational approach to journalists who question him on politically or legally sensitive issues.