On Tuesday, President Donald Trump criticised CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins in the Oval Office, labelling her “the worst reporter” and reprimanding her for her lack of a smile. At the same time, she attempted to inquire about the recent release of documents concerning Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump said, “She’s a young woman; I haven’t seen you smile ever,” in a sarcastic manner while seated at the Resolute Desk. “I’ve known you for 10 years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face.”
Collins pointed out that her question was directed at the president regarding Epstein’s sexual assault victims, but Trump cut her off. “You know why you’re not smiling? Because you know you’re not telling the truth,” he stated. Get the full details of the incident in the blog below, including statements.
Trump Scolds CNN Reporter Kaitlan Collins
President Donald Trump, who has often called female journalists “loud,” “piggy,” “ugly,” “insubordinate,” “terrible,” “obnoxious,” “stupid and nasty,” and “totally unprepared” in recent months, reprimanded another journalist on Tuesday for failing to smile.
Trump directed the insult towards CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins after she questioned him about the recent release of Jeffrey Epstein files, highlighting that his associates, Elon Musk and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, were mentioned in the documents. Trump dismissed her initial inquiries, but the reference to Musk and Lutnick seemed to provoke him.
What happened at the Oval Office on Tuesday?
Trump criticised CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins for not smiling enough in his presence. He pointed out that he has known her for about a decade and suggested that her lack of smiles is because she is aware of her own perceived lack of talent. The exchange began when Collins indicated that the Epstein Files disclose the close connections of the US president’s allies, Elon Musk and Howard Lutnick, along with his commerce secretary, to the late sex offender.
Collins interrupted the president during his lengthy monologue, where he accused Democrats of fabricating a narrative surrounding the Epstein documents while being in contact with Epstein themselves. While Trump claimed he had not read the friendly emails between Musk, Lutnick, and Epstein, he also candidly stated that he had been friends with Epstein for 17 years.
“I’m sure they’re fine,” Trump stated, “otherwise there would’ve been major headlines.” When Collins pointed out that “many women who are survivors of Epstein are dissatisfied with’ the way the justice department redacted the documents, including that “entire witness interviews are completely blacked out,” Trump rebuked her, saying: “You are so bad.
You are the WORST reporter. No wonder CNN has no ratings! You know she’s a young woman. I’ve known you for ten years. Further, he added, “I don’t think I’ve EVER seen you smile. They should be ASHAMED of you.”
Trump defends himself regarding Epstein Files connections
On Tuesday, Trump reiterated his call for Americans to move past the Jeffrey Epstein controversy. On February 2, he once again refuted claims that associate him with Epstein, asserting that he never set foot on Epstein’s ‘infested’ private island. He accused Democrats and their financial backers of fabricating stories about his connections to Epstein while they themselves had ties to the convicted sex offender.
Additionally, he criticised author Michael Wolff for disseminating falsehoods about his relationship with Epstein, alleging that Wolff’s intent was to damage his reputation and presidency. In a post on Truth Social, Trump asserted that newly disclosed information from the Department of Justice dispels the “trash talks” concerning his connections to the Epstein Files.
