Trump Targets CNN Reporter Over Lack of Smile During Epstein Document Inquiry
Former President Donald Trump, who has frequently used derogatory terms like "loud," "piggy," "ugly," and "stupid and nasty" to describe female journalists in recent months, directed another personal criticism at a reporter on Tuesday. This time, he focused on CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins, chastising her for not smiling during a press interaction.
Epstein Document Questions Trigger Heated Exchange
The incident occurred when Collins pressed Trump about the latest release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, noting that his allies, including Elon Musk and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, appeared in the documents. Trump initially brushed off her questions, but the mention of Musk and Lutnick seemed to provoke him.
"You are the worst reporter. No wonder CNN has no ratings because of people like you," Trump said, escalating the confrontation. He then turned his attention to Collins's demeanor, remarking to others in the room, "You know, she’s a young woman," before addressing her directly.
Personal Critique Over Professional Conduct
"I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile," Trump scolded Collins. "I’ve known you for 10 years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face. You know why you’re not smiling? Because you know you’re not telling the truth." He added that CNN "should be ashamed of you," further intensifying the personal nature of his comments.
In response, a CNN spokesperson defended Collins's professionalism, stating, "Kaitlan Collins is an exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity. She skillfully brings that reporting to the anchor chair and CNN platforms every day, which audiences around the world know they can trust."
History of Conflicts Between Trump and Collins
This was not the first time Trump has targeted Collins. In December, he criticized her on Truth Social after she inquired about rising cost estimates for his $400 million White House ballroom project, misspelling her name and calling her "Stupid and Nasty."
Last year, during another interaction, Trump referred to her as a "very low-rated anchor." Their disputes date back to 2018 during Trump's first term, when the White House barred Collins from an open press event after she asked questions about his former attorney, Michael Cohen, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
At that time, White House press staff deemed her questions "inappropriate," and then-press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders claimed Collins was excluded for shouting and refusing to leave the Oval Office.
This latest episode highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and the media, particularly with female journalists, and raises questions about the boundaries of professional conduct in political reporting.
