Tensions Rise at the White House
During a press briefing held on Wednesday, June 3, at the Oval Office, former President Donald Trump directed sharp criticism toward CNN’s chief White House correspondent, Kaitlan Collins. The exchange marked another instance of the former president attacking the network and its personnel.
Trump, 79, labeled CNN a
“very corrupt organization”before turning his attention directly to Collins, 34, who was present at the event. He singled her out, stating:
“She’s a young beautiful woman. Never smiles. I never see a smile off her face. I see her standing there with hatred in her eyes.”
Arguments Over Media Coverage
The former president continued his critique by suggesting that journalists harbor bias due to his administration's policies, including border security, military strengthening, and tax cuts. When Collins attempted to respond to his comments, Trump interrupted her, demanding that she
“be quiet.”He further remarked on her background, claiming,
“You should be ashamed of yourself. You used to be a conservative. She was a conservative from Alabama, can you believe it?”
Official Response from CNN
In a formal statement provided to the media following the incident, CNN defended its correspondent. The network stated: “Kaitlan Collins is an exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity. She skillfully brings that reporting to the anchor chair and CNN platforms every day, which audiences around the world know they can trust.”
Pattern of Criticism
This is not the first time Trump has commented on Collins’ demeanor. In February, he similarly remarked during an Oval Office briefing, “She’s a young woman… I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile. I’ve known you for 10 years.” At that time, Collins had been questioning the president regarding the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.
Collins Reflects on the Experience
Addressing the broader issue of how such interactions are perceived, Collins spoke on the June 2 episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. She noted the difficulty of remaining professional when the focus shifts away from the subject of the reporting.
“When he told me I should smile more when I was asking him about sexual assault victims, in that moment, I was thinking, ‘This is not going to be received well,’” Collins explained. She emphasized the challenge of maintaining objectivity, adding, “I truly think, as a reporter, you shouldn’t make it about yourself. It’s about the president, about the person you’re questioning. But we’re people too.”