President Donald Trump became embroiled in a tense Oval Office confrontation with CNN's White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday, as the journalist pressed him on matters relating to the victims of the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A Bill Signing Interrupted By Scrutiny
The incident occurred as the President had convened a group of Republican lawmakers to formally sign legislation aimed at reopening the federal government following a recent partial shutdown. The ceremonial atmosphere shifted abruptly when the door opened for questions from the press pool.
Deflecting Questions On A Transatlantic Scandal
The exchange began when another reporter inquired about former British Ambassador Peter Mandelson facing renewed scrutiny over his connections to the Epstein scandal. President Trump swiftly dismissed the question regarding UK political fallout, reframing the issue as a domestic concern.
'It's really a Democrat problem, it's not a Republican problem,' the President asserted, attempting to steer the conversation away from international figures.
Undeterred, Collins pointed out that the recently unsealed court documents contained references to prominent individuals including Elon Musk, a notable donor to Trump's re-election campaign, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Claims Of Ignorance And Moving On
In response, Trump stated he had not reviewed the latest Epstein files, citing a busy schedule. 'I have a lot of things I'm doing. A lot of things,' he said. 'You mentioned two names. I'm sure they're fine, I'm sure they're fine. Otherwise, there would have been major headlines.'
Collins then highlighted complaints from several survivors of Epstein's sexual abuse regarding the extensive redactions contained within the approximately 3 million documents released in the most recent batch. Trump countered, claiming he had heard opposing views that too much information had been made public.
The President then made a concerted effort to change the subject entirely. 'I think it's really time for the country to get onto something else,' he declared, suggesting a pivot to issues like healthcare. He added, 'Now that nothing came out about me - other than it was a conspiracy against me, literally, by Epstein and other people.'
The Exchange Turns Personal And Hostile
When Collins persisted, asking what message the President had for the survivors of Epstein's abuse, the professional disagreement descended into personal criticism.
'You are the worst reporter,' Trump told Collins. 'CNN has no ratings because of people like you.'
Turning to the lawmakers beside him, the President commented on Collins's demeanour. 'You know, she's a young woman,' he said, before addressing the reporter directly. '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.'
A Reporter's Rebuttal And A Final Jab
Collins, who rose to prominence covering the Trump White House, first for the Daily Caller and then for CNN, defended her line of questioning. 'Well, I'm asking you about survivors of Epstein,' she retorted.
Trump fired back, '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.'
In a final attempt to underscore the gravity of the topic, Collins stated plainly, 'These are survivors of a sexual abuser.' The President did not acknowledge this remark, instead turning his attention to another journalist's question, effectively ending the contentious exchange.
