Trump’s latest attack on a female journalist just escalated to a whole new level. President Donald Trump targets CNN’s Kaitlan Collins with personal criticisms during an Oval Office briefing.
Donald Trump and Kaitlan Collins clash during Oval Office briefing
President Donald Trump repeatedly criticized CNN’s Kaitlan Collins during an Oval Office briefing on Wednesday, according to the New York Post. Collins asked Trump about the Justice Department’s $1.776 “anti-weaponization fund” following a Republican revolt on Capitol Hill. The president responded by attacking the journalist personally and professionally.
“I thought that was the greatest thing,” Trump said of potential payouts for lawfare victims, “because people like you have abused our people so badly.” Collins attempted to interject, but Trump shut her down immediately. “Be quiet … you should be ashamed of yourself. You used to be a conservative,” the president told her.
Trump continued his criticism by referencing Collins’ background and her employer. “She used to be a conservative from Alabama. Can you believe it?” he said. He then called CNN “a very corrupt organization” and labeled Collins a “corrupt reporter.” The president also commented on Collins’ demeanor during briefings.
“Young, beautiful woman, never smiles,” Trump said. “I never see a smile on her face.” He added, “I see her standing with such hatred in her eyes.” Collins responded only by noting she is “still from Alabama.”
A CNN spokesperson defended Collins in a statement to the New York Post. “She is an exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that audiences worldwide trust Collins’ reporting across CNN platforms.
Trump previously called Collins CNN’s “worst reporter.” Collins began her career as an entertainment reporter before joining the Daily Caller as a White House correspondent. She moved to CNN in 2017 to cover the first Trump administration.
