Former U.S. President Donald Trump launched a fresh verbal assault against a prominent journalist over the weekend, using his Truth Social platform to target CNN's White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins. The Saturday morning rant was triggered by questions surrounding the escalating budget for a massive ballroom project associated with Trump.
The Truth Social Tirade and Ballroom Defense
In his post, Trump took aim at Collins, whom he referred to as "Caitlin Collin’s of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty." He referenced her inquiry about why the cost of his new 90,000-square-foot ballroom had increased beyond initial estimates from a year ago. Trump defended the project's finances, stating, "I said because it is going to be double the size, and the quality of finishes and interiors has been brought to the highest level."
This confrontation follows Collins's reporting earlier in the week, which revealed that the ballroom's budget had ballooned significantly. Her reporting also indicated that a new architect had taken over the project after Trump clashed with the original one. While the administration maintains the project is under budget and will be funded by private donors—including major tech firms like Apple, Amazon, and Meta—scrutiny remains over the details of those contributions and what the donors might expect in return.
A Pattern of Hostility Toward Female Journalists
Trump's attack on Collins is not an isolated incident but part of a consistent pattern of hostile remarks directed specifically at female journalists. This recent episode adds to a growing list of similar confrontations.
In another notable instance, Trump insulted Katie Rogers of the New York Times, calling her "ugly, both inside and out," after she co-authored a report concerning the president's health and aging. Perhaps his most notorious remark was directed at Bloomberg's veteran White House correspondent Catherine Lucey. After she pressed him on questions related to the Jeffrey Epstein files, Trump retorted, "Quiet, piggy," while wagging his finger at her.
The White House has previously defended Trump's conduct in such situations. In a statement following one incident, officials claimed the reporter in question "behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way toward her colleagues." The statement added a justification often used in such contexts: "If you’re going to give it, you have to be able to take it."
Broader Media Relations and Fallout
Donald Trump has a long history of combative relations with the press, frequently labeling outlets critical of him as "fake news." In the same Truth Social post targeting Collins, he broadened his attack, writing, "FAKE NEWS CNN, and the guy who runs the whole corrupt operation that owns it, is one of the worst in the business." He concluded with a claim about the network's relevance and his signature slogan: "Their ratings are so low that they’re not even counted or relevant anymore. MAGA!!!"
These repeated confrontations highlight the ongoing tension between the former president and major media organizations. They also raise questions about the environment for journalists, particularly women, who report on powerful political figures. The incident involving Kaitlan Collins serves as the latest flashpoint in this enduring conflict, underscoring how questions about financial projects can quickly escalate into personal and public attacks.
