Donald Trump has once again attacked CNN’s Kaitlan Collins for asking a question, this time about the Epstein files, veering off track to complain that she never smiles.
Collins was quizzing the president in the Oval Office about some of his allies, specifically Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, who were named in the files.
Highlights
- President Trump attacked CNN's Kaitlan Collins for questioning him about the Epstein files.
- Elon Musk and Howard Lutnick were named in the recently released Department of Justice Epstein documents, which Trump downplayed.
- Trump dismissed calls for more transparency in the Epstein files, urging the country to move on and denying any wrongdoing on his part.
- Trump said Collins never smiled and accused her and CNN of dishonesty when she pressed him on justice for Epstein survivors.
- Trump previously criticized Collins on social media, calling her 'stupid' and 'nasty' while defending the rising cost of the White House ballroom.
Both men appeared in a significant batch of documents released by the Department of Justice over the weekend.
Elon Musk and Howard Lutnick were both named in the Epstein files
Image credits: Harun Ozalp/Anadolu via Getty Images
Collins mentioned that Musk and Lutnick had been named as she asked the president if he had read some of the 3 million documents recently released.
“No, I didn’t. I have a lot of things I’m doing,” Trump said. “You mentioned two names. I’m sure they’re fine, otherwise there would have been major headlines.”
While there were in fact headlines about both men appearing in the files, Collins moved on to ask about significant redactions to many of the files released, which survivors have condemned.
“Do you think that they should be more transparent?” she asked.
Image credits: Alex Wong/Getty Images
“I think it’s really time for the country to get on to something else,” Trump responded. “Now that nothing came out about me, other than there was a conspiracy against me.”
Collins continued to push the issue, asking Trump what he would say to the survivors who feel like justice remains an uphill battle.
Launching into a rant, Trump told her, “You are so bad. You are the worst reporter. No wonder CNN has no ratings because of people like you.”
Collins responded, “Well, I’m asking you about survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, Mr. President.”
Trump, speaking over Collins, continued to insult her. “You know why you’re not smiling?
“Because you know you’re not telling the truth, and you’re a very dishonest organization, and they should be ashamed of you.”
Trump then refused to allow Collins to finish her question, instead calling on another reporter.
It is not the first time Trump has insulted Collins
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Sharing a clip of the exchange on X, Collins posted, “President Trump argues the country should move on from the Epstein files and lashes out when asked about the survivors’ response to the latest release from the Justice Department.”
Last year, Trump repeatedly came under scrutiny for insulting female journalists for doing their job, including Collins.
In a Truth Social post in December, Trump blasted Collins as “stupid” and “nasty,” misspelling her name and defending his then-$300 million White House ballroom.
“Caitlin Collins of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty, asked me why the new Ballroom was costing more money than originally thought one year ago,” Trump wrote.
“I said because it is going to be double the size, and the quality of finishes and interiors has been brought to the highest level.
Image credits: Alex Wong/Getty Images
“Also, the column SPAN has been substantially increased for purposes of viewing. It is actually under budget and ahead of schedule, as my jobs always are.”
At the time of the post, the estimate for the ballroom had risen from $200 million to $300 million. It is now projected to cost about $400 million, with plans suggesting it will be as tall as the White House and accommodate 1,000 guests.
Trump added, “Interestingly, and seldom reported, there are no taxpayer dollars involved. It is being fully paid for by private donations.”
Responding to Trump’s comments on her Instagram story, Collins shared the rant and wrote, “Technically, my question was about Venezuela.”