President Trump snapped at CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins during a brief Oval Office news moment on Tuesday, turning a question about the newly released Epstein files into a personal attack.
Collins asked, βWhat would you say to the survivorsβ¦?β and tried to steer the conversation toward how victims feel about the redactions. The president cut her off and shifted his answer to her.
βYou are the worst reporter. No wonder CNN. CNN has no ratings because of people like you. You know sheβs a young woman,β Trump said, adding, βI donβt think Iβve ever seen you smile. Iβve known you for 10 years, I donβt think Iβve ever seen a smile on your face.β The remarks drew gasps from some in the room and puzzled looks from others.
Collins: Elon Musk and your Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, are named in the Epstein files and had correspondence with Epstein.
Trump: I have a lot of things Iβm doing. I don’t know. You mentioned two names, Iβm sure theyβre fine.
Collins: What would say to Epstein⦠pic.twitter.com/NIsjdswPmb
β Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) February 3, 2026
Reporters in the room tried to move on, but the moment stuck. Collins had been asking about the Department of Justice and the decisions made in the handling of files tied to Jeffrey Epstein. Her question pointed to survivors who say they want more clarity and accountability.
The exchange took place as the Justice Department disclosed a large set of materials tied to Epstein. The files were heavily redacted, and that left victims and some lawmakers frustrated. Collins wanted the president to say what he would tell those people.
Instead of answering, Trump went after Collins and CNN. He questioned the networkβs ratings and made a personal comment about her smile while the larger issue of survivorsβ claims waited in the background.
The choice to attack the messenger instead of addressing the message was obvious. It is a familiar pattern for this White House. Critics say it deflects from the topic at hand. Supporters say the president was defending himself against what he sees as hostile questions.
Collins did not back down on air later. On her show she replayed parts of the exchange and talked about why she asked the question. CNN stood behind her reporting and highlighted the broader issue that Collins raised about the files and the survivors.
The moment quickly landed on social media and in late night TV jokes. One host pointed out the oddity of lecturing a female reporter to smile while a discussion about abuse survivors was under way. The jokes were sharp but the underlying issue drew serious attention.
For the survivors who Collins mentioned, the squabble over tone will not answer their core questions. They are looking for real moves on transparency and justice. Journalists say that is why they keep asking. Officials say that process and rules govern what can be released and when.
Featured image via X screengrab
