CNN's Kaitlan Collins Addresses Trump's 'Smile' Comment in Epstein Victim Inquiry
In a recent interview, CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins revisited a contentious moment where former President Donald Trump chastised her for not smiling during a line of questioning about justice for victims of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a former close associate of Trump. Appearing on "The Late Show," Collins shared her insights with host Stephen Colbert, noting that while the insult did not catch her off guard, one particular aspect stood out.
Collins' Reaction to the Political Savvy of the Remark
Collins explained, "I don't think it surprised me in the moment of the attack. The president has called me a lot of names, he's gone after me and tried to deflect from the questions we are asking. But in that moment, he is someone who is often politically savvy or tied in with what his base wants. In that moment, I was thinking if he had said that in response to a different question, I think it would have had a different reaction." She emphasized that the context of the question, which focused on sexual assault survivors, was crucial in generating widespread headlines.
Broader Implications for Women in Media
Reflecting on the incident, Collins added, "I think a lot of women can identify with that moment and that feeling. But I think it was actually the question that is what generated so many headlines out of that. Because my question was about sexual assault survivors and it wasn't even accusatory of the president." She further stated, "I don't think it's a controversial opinion that you shouldn't smile when you're asking questions about a sex trafficker and sexual assault victims." This comment resonated with Colbert's audience, who erupted in applause, prompting Colbert to respond, "That's reasonable."
Aftermath and Personal Reflections
Since the exchange, Collins revealed that she has been inundated with photos of herself smiling, including from family members. She noted, "They show that I do indeed smile, when it's appropriate," smiling at Colbert during the interview. This personal touch highlighted the ongoing scrutiny faced by journalists, particularly women, in high-pressure political environments.
The discussion underscores the challenges of maintaining professionalism in media interactions, especially when addressing sensitive topics like sexual assault. Collins' experience serves as a reminder of the importance of context and the broader societal expectations placed on women in public roles.
