Trump Explodes at Kaitlan Collins, Criticizing Her for «Not Smiling»

President Donald Trump erupted at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins during an Oval Office appearance after she attempted to ask a question about survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Collins, 33, began asking, «What would you say to survivors–» before Trump abruptly cut her off and launched into a personal attack.

«You are so bad. You know, you are the worst reporter. No wonder,» Trump said, adding:

«CNN has no ratings because of people like you.»

The exchange unfolded in front of Republican lawmakers and other reporters, as Trump prevented Collins from completing her question and immediately shifted his attention elsewhere.

As Collins attempted to continue, Trump escalated his remarks, targeting her demeanor rather than the substance of her question.

«She's a young woman. I don't think I've ever seen you smile. I've known you for 10 years. I don't think I've ever seen a smile on your face,» he said.

Collins responded that she was asking about Epstein's survivors, but Trump continued the attack.

«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,» he said, before calling on another reporter and moving on.

Collins's question followed Trump's suggestion that the country should move past the Epstein files. She raised concerns voiced by survivors regarding redactions in the latest Justice Department release.

«A lot of women who were, are survivors of Epstein, they're unhappy with those redactions that came out,» Collins said.

«Some of them, entire witness interviews are blacked out. Do you think they should be more transparent?» Before she could finish, Trump interjected with his own assertion.

«Well, they're also unhappy with the fact that they thought they released too much. You know I heard that, and you're telling something else,» he said.

Rather than address the substance of the concerns raised by Epstein's victims, Trump redirected the discussion to himself. «I think it's really time for the country to get on to something else really,» he said, later repeating that sentiment and suggesting the focus should shift to issues «like health care.»

Trump also claimed that the only references to him in the latest document release involved what he described as a conspiracy against him.

«Now that nothing came out about me other than it was a conspiracy against me, literally, by Epstein and other people,» he said, dismissing the broader contents of the files.

The confrontation came amid renewed scrutiny of Trump's presence in Epstein-related records. The latest tranche of documents includes allegations, which Trump has denied, including a claim involving a 13-year-old girl.

The White House has called the accusations false.

A classified 2017 memo included in the release alleged Trump visited Epstein's home shortly before announcing his presidential run, describing Epstein as «very close to current President Donald Trump». Another document stated that an Epstein assistant told the FBI the financier introduced Trump to Melania. Trump has also threatened to sue journalist Michael Wolff, accusing him of conspiring with Epstein.

The incident with Collins fits a broader pattern of Trump unleashing personal attacks against women journalists who challenge him publicly. Over the years, he has targeted reporters' appearance, tone, and credibility rather than their questions, often in highly visible settings. In this case, even as the media was ushered out of the Oval Office, Trump could be heard continuing to complain about Collins not smiling.

The exchange underscored how questions about Epstein, survivors, and accountability continue to provoke aggressive responses from Trump, particularly when posed by women reporters, reinforcing criticism that he uses intimidation and insult to deflect scrutiny rather than engage with the substance of the reporting.

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