President Trump criticized CNN chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins during an Oval Office exchange Tuesday, calling her “the worst reporter” and chiding her for not smiling as she pressed him about newly released files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
“She’s a young woman — I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile,” Mr. Trump said in a sarcastic tone while sitting at the Resolute Desk. “I’ve known you for 10 years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face.”
Ms. Collins noted she was asking the president about Epstein’s sexual assault victims — specifically raising concerns voiced by survivors about redactions in the released documents — but Mr. Trump interrupted her.
“You know why you’re not smiling? Because you know you’re not telling the truth,” he said.
The exchange occurred as Ms. Collins continued pressing the president with follow-up questions about the Epstein files.
“You are so bad. You know, you are the worst reporter. No wonder… CNN has no ratings because of people like you,” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Trump has often singled out journalists for attacks and insults, including female reporters. Last year, he cut off a Bloomberg News reporter by barking, “Quiet! Quiet, piggy.”
Ms. Collins, who has covered Trump extensively since 2016, is a familiar figure to the president. In December, Mr. Trump attacked her in a Truth Social post, writing, “Caitlin Collin’s of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty.”
Shortly after Tuesday’s Oval Office exchange, CNN issued a statement calling Collins “an exceptional journalist” who reports “with real depth and tenacity.”
Ms. Collins later replayed the footage on Tuesday’s edition of The Source, where she said Mr. Trump’s reaction was telling in terms of how he is viewing the Epstein files.
“He views things through the lens of how it affects him,” Ms. Collins said.
On X, several of Ms. Collins’ CNN colleagues came to her defense after the exchange.
“Kaitlan is a great reporter & person,” anchor Jake Tapper wrote.
David Axelrod, a political analyst for the network, called Ms. Collins “one of the very best journalists around,” adding that she is “smart, tireless, fearless and fair.”
As journalists were being ushered out of the Oval Office on Tuesday, the president could be heard again referencing Ms. Collins and repeating his complaint that “she never smiles.”
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