President Donald Trump launched a personal attack on CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins on Wednesday, using sexist language to criticise her demeanour. During a lengthy answer about his defunct $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponisation' fund, Trump said of Collins: 'A young beautiful woman, never smiles. I see her standing there with hatred in her eyes.'
Trump continued his tirade when Collins raised Republican concerns that the fund could be used to compensate January 6 rioters. He accused CNN of 'fake news' and told Collins: 'You should be ashamed of yourself. You used to be a conservative from Alabama.' The president appeared to reference a pending deal for the Ellison family to buy CNN's parent company.
A CNN spokesperson defended Collins, calling her 'an exceptional journalist' who reports 'with real depth and tenacity'. Editor Amanda Carpenter wrote on X: 'I’m sure Kaitlan Collins is not rattled in the least by these casual, sexist, repeated attacks by Trump. Her steadiness should be a reminder that NO woman owes any man her smile.'
This is not the first time Trump has targeted Collins. In February, he complained she didn't smile when she asked about the Epstein files. Collins later said: 'It’s not a laughing matter to talk about sex trafficking victims.' Trump has a history of harsh verbal attacks on female journalists, including calling ABC News reporter Rachel Scott a 'horror show' last month and telling another reporter 'Quiet, piggy' last year.
