Trump scolds CNN’s Kaitlan Collins for ‘not smiling’
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins was asking the US president about Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual assault victims.
PHOTO: AFP
Michael M. Grynbaum
WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump laced into CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins in the Oval Office on Feb 3, calling her “the worst reporter” and scolding her for not smiling as she tried to ask about the latest release of 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 that she was asking the president about Epstein’s sexual assault victims, but Mr Trump interrupted her. “You know why you’re not smiling? Because you know you’re not telling the truth,” he said.
Mr Trump has often singled out female journalists for attacks and insults; in 2025, he cut off a Bloomberg News reporter
Ms Collins, CNN’s chief White House correspondent, is a familiar figure to Mr Trump, having covered him extensively since 2016. In December, Mr Trump attacked her in a Truth Social post, writing, “Caitlin Collin’s of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty.”
Mr Trump had earlier in the news conference calmly answered two of Ms Collins’ questions about the release of documents related to the government’s investigation of Epstein, the financier and former friend of the president who was charged with sex trafficking. When Ms Collins asked a third question about Epstein’s victims, however, Mr Trump went on the attack.
“You are so bad,” he said. “You know, you are the worst reporter. No wonder. CNN has no ratings because of people like you.”
Shortly after the Feb 3 Oval Office exchange, CNN issued a statement calling Ms Collins “an exceptional journalist” who reports “with real depth and tenacity”. It was the same statement that CNN has issued on previous occasions; Mr Trump has singled out Ms Collins so often that the network keeps its defence of its reporter ready to go.
As journalists were being ushered out of the Oval Office on Feb 3, the president could be heard telling Senator John Barrasso that “she never smiles” as he pointed toward the press. NYTIMES
