CNN’s Kaitlan Collins broke her silence on Donald Trump’s insults during the WHCD. She said she remained unfazed because such remarks were common in the Oval Office; only this time they were made in a larger venue. She also pointed out the silence in the room during Trump’s comments. Moreover, she shared how she maintains a calm demeanor in such situations and the importance of asking straightforward questions.
Kaitlan Collins responds to Donald Trump’s insult on The Daily Show
During a conversation with Jon Stewart on Monday’s Daily Show, Kaitlan Collins reflected on the moment when Donald Trump congratulated her for her WHCA Award win and later bombarded her with insults. She said, “That happens pretty regularly inside the Oval Office. This is just a bigger venue where it was happening. What was most surprising to me was the room was filled with a lot of his staffers, his Cabinet, his allies, Republicans in Congress. It was so quiet in the room during the president’s remarks.”
Stewart then went on to praise her for her courage to ask the right questions and also for maintaining composure when Trump verbally attacked her. “That’s why I ask the questions the way I do. Is because I want anyone to be able to listen to what I’m asking, whether that’s at a briefing or during a moment with the president, and think, you know, ‘I want to know the answer to that too’ or ’That is a good question,” she replied.
The host joked that she should smile more, which should be a clear answer, alluding to Trump’s earlier comment.
For those unversed, the president first complimented Collins before complaining about her lack of smile. “She’s a young, attractive woman. She never smiles. I said, ‘Kaitlan, you ever smile?’ Smile. You have a nice position. You’re at CNN fake news. You should be a happy person. So smile, Kaitlan. Just smile,” he said, reviving the same criticism he made in February.
The CNN journalist further revealed how she remains so calm, stating that she doesn’t want the attention to be on her or her reaction. She said that if she makes the situation about herself, then the drama could escalate between them, driving away the focus from the questions asked and the president’s answers.
