President Donald Trump attacked CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins after she asked him about the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files and responses from survivors. The files were heavily redacted, which raised questions about transparency from the Department of Justice.
Instead of answering questions about the documents or the victims of the deceased pedophile, President Trump focused on the reporter’s facial expressions and work. He ignored the actual topic that survivors care about. “You are the worst reporter,” President Trump told the Chief White House Correspondent and The Source anchor while standing in the Oval Office.
“No wonder CNN has no ratings, because of people like you,” he continued, according to Deadline. As administration officials and other reporters stood by silently, the president went on a strange rant about Collins’ smile. “You know, she’s a young woman. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile,” President Trump said.
The president’s attack revealed his true priorities in the scandal
“I’ve known you for 10 years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile in your face. You know why? 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.”
Before Collins could ask more about the Epstein victims or the people named in the files, President Trump moved on to another journalist. As White House press aides were moving reporters out of the room, the president could still be heard complaining about Collins.
Before the insults started, Collins asked about the document release being more transparent. President Trump said, “I think it’s really time for the country to get into something else now that nothing came out about me other than it was a conspiracy against me, literally, by Epstein and other people.” He added, “But I think it’s time now for the country to maybe get onto something like health care, something that people care about.” This isn’t the first time the president has made controversial claims about federal power that raise constitutional questions.
Within 45 minutes, CNN released a statement praising Collins. The network called her an “exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity.” They added that she “skillfully brings that reporting to the anchor chair and CNN platforms every day, which audiences around the world know they can trust.”
Later, speaking on The Lead, Collins took the high road and focused on the survivors. “Jake, this is something where the survivors here have been at the center of this, and they have been the people who have said they’re unhappy with what has come out of the Justice Department here so far,” Collins explained from the White House lawn.
She said she had spoken to a survivor who noted that entire witness interviews with the FBI were completely blacked out. Collins added that even though the president says it’s time to move on, “there’s many people, including a lot of his own supporters, who do not feel that way.” The president’s choice of advisors has also raised eyebrows, as he’s been seeking advice from controversial figures on sensitive matters.
Published: Feb 5, 2026 07:33 am