Donald Trump once again criticized CNN and its top White House correspondent and show host, Kaitlan Collins. He even scolded her for not smiling.
During a press event in the Oval Office, Trump called CNN “a very corrupt organization” and then referred to Collins, who was there asking questions, as “a corrupt reporter standing right there, never smiles.”
Trump said, “A young beautiful woman, never smiles.
I never see a smile off her face. I see her standing there with hatred in her eyes, like she has hatred, because we had borders, because we have a strong military, because we cut our taxes, because we do things that everybody wanted, and then we win our election in a massive landslide.”
Later, Trump attacked the network and Collins again, after she asked him whether the Justice Department’s $1.8 billion weaponization fund was dead, or merely on hold.
After calling the fund a “beautiful thing,” Trump said to Collins that “people like you have abused our people so badly.
The fake news, like CNN, like The New York Times, and like others, have abused our people, have abused our people so badly. And you should be ashamed of yourself. You used to be a conservative. She was a conservative from Alabama, can you believe it? But CNN in particular does such false reporting, but now they have new ownership, so maybe it’ll straighten out, but I doubt it.”
Trump was referring to Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros.
Discovery, which has yet to close as the companies await regulatory approval from the administration and European regulators.
After the Oval Office briefing, CNN anchor Kasie Hunt told viewers, “Kaitlan did note that she is still from Alabama, though the president seemed to suggest that she no longer was.
We appreciate their professionalism.”
A CNN spokesperson said, “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.”
Trump’s attack on Collins was not the first time he has gone after her, and she’s only the latest female journalist who has been a focus of his verbal rants.
He’s lashed out at ABC News’ Rachel Scott multiple times, and called one woman Bloomberg reporter “piggy.”
Stephanie Grisham, who served as Trump’s press secretary in his first term, posted on X on Wednesday, “I’ve gone toe-to-toe w Kaitlin, she can hold her own but I don’t understand [the White House Correspondents Association] days.
To stand for a free press, yet allow the POTUS to denigrate that stance daily, then invite him to dinner (correspondents dinner) is nonsensical & I promise, he loves the twisted irony.”
Trump plans to attend the WHCA’s rescheduled dinner next month.
The association has not commented on his attack on Collins.
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