President Donald Trump had a heated exchange with CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday, sharply criticizing her reporting and accusing the network of dishonesty as tensions flared during a press availability following the signing of legislation that ended the partial government shutdown.
Trump took questions from reporters after signing the bill, which brought an end to the shutdown that began over the weekend. At one point, the president singled out Collins, asking pointedly, “Yeah, what do you want?”
Collins pressed Trump about the Department of Justice’s latest release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex trafficker who died in 2019. She referenced individuals named in the documents, including Elon Musk and Trump’s commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, and asked whether the president had reviewed the newly released materials.
Trump said he had not, explaining that he was focused on other responsibilities.
“No, I didn’t. I have a lot of things I’m doing,” he said. “A lot of things. I don’t know. You mentioned two names. I’m sure they’re fine. I’m sure they’re fine. Otherwise, it would’ve been major headlines.”
Collins then shifted the question toward the reaction of Epstein survivors, many of whom have expressed frustration with the extent of redactions in the DOJ’s release. Although the department was required by law to redact victims’ names, additional information was also blacked out, and in some cases unredacted images of nude young women or possibly teenagers were released.
As Collins continued pressing the issue, Trump repeatedly signaled his desire to move on from the Epstein matter altogether.
“Well, they’re also unhappy with the fact that they thought they released too much,” Trump said. “I think it’s really time for the country to get on to something else.”
The president argued that the focus on Epstein had yielded nothing new regarding him personally and suggested that the controversy had been used against him unfairly.
“Now that nothing came out about me, other than it was a conspiracy against me, literally, by Epstein and other people,” Trump said, before adding that the country should instead focus on issues “people care about,” such as healthcare.
As Collins attempted to follow up on what Trump would say directly to survivors, the exchange devolved into a sharp confrontation. Trump cut her off and unleashed a blistering critique of both Collins and CNN.
“You are so bad,” Trump said. “You are the worst reporter. No wonder CNN has no ratings because of people like you.”
He went on to criticize Collins personally, saying he had never seen her smile and accusing her of dishonesty. When Collins tried to interject that she was asking about survivors, Trump doubled down, calling CNN a “very dishonest organization” and saying the network should be ashamed.
Trump then moved on to another reporter. As aides ushered the press out of the room following the conclusion of the availability, the president could still be heard complaining about Collins, remarking to Sen. John Barrasso that “she never smiles.”
CNN later defended Collins in a statement, praising her work and professionalism. The network described her as an “exceptional journalist” and said audiences around the world trust her reporting.
The clash underscored the ongoing hostility between Trump and CNN, a dynamic that has defined much of his relationship with the media, particularly when coverage turns toward issues he believes are politically motivated or misleading.
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