Donald Trump Blasts CNN's Kaitlan Collins Following Epstein-Related Question, Says She's 'The Worst Reporter'

President Donald Trump went on the offensive in attacking CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins when she pressed him on the latest batch of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump hurled insults at the CNN reporter, trying to demean her and relating her presence to the supposed decline in the network's ratings.

At the Oval Office, Collins, who is also CNN's Chief White House Correspondent, pressed Trump on the latest batch of Epstein documents released by the Justice Department. Collins cited Trump's mentioning of prominent Democratic figures who appeared in the files whilst noting that Elon Musk and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick were also in the files. Collins asked if Trump read the files that the DOJ published in advance before their release. Trump initially said that he did not read them, otherwise it would have made the news.

Questions About the Survivors

'I have a lot of things I'm doing', said Trump. 'A lot of things I'm doing, I don't know. You mentioned two names, I'm sure they're fine. I'm sure they're fine. Otherwise it would have been major headlines'.

Collins moved on to another Epstein-related question, pressing Trump about the survivors of Epstein's trafficking ring. The anchor for 'The Source' asked if he thought the DOJ should have been more transparent, as they have redacted significant parts of witness interviews. Trump attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere.

'They're also unhappy with the fact that they thought they released too much', said Trump. 'I heard that, and you tell me something else. No, I think it's time for the country to get onto something else. Now that nothing came out about me, other than it was a conspiracy against me, literally, by Epstein and other people. But I think it's time now for the country to maybe get onto something else like health care, something that people care about'.

Trump would then go on the offensive and launch an unhinged rant about Collins, as administration officials and other media outlets were present. He would later continue complaining about Collins even after the press conference.

'You Are the Worst Reporter'

'You are the worst reporter', Trump told Collins. 'No wonder CNN has no ratings because of people like you'. 'You know, she's a young woman, I don't think I've ever seen you smile', Trump continued. 'I've known you for 10 years, I don't think I've ever seen a smile in your face. You know why? You know why you're not smiling? Because you know you're not telling the truth and you're-you're a very dishonest organisation, and they should be ashamed of you'.

Not the First Time

This is not the first time Collins was subjected to a rant from Trump. In December 2025, Trump called Collins 'stupid and nasty' and also previously insulted other female reporters, including ABC News' Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott. Trump called Scott 'the most obnoxious reporter'. Most notably, Trump told Catherine Lucey of Bloomberg News, 'quiet piggy'.

CNN issued a statement commending Collins, and she would later discuss Trump's tirade against her on Jake Tapper's programme, 'The Lead'. Collins said the topic was 'no laughing matter'. 'Jake, this is something where the survivors here have been at the centre of this, and they have been the people who have said they're unhappy with what has come out of the Justice Department here so far', said Collins. 'I just spoke to one on Friday night who was saying that entire witness interviews with the FBI were redacted. The entire page was blacked out, and so these are real questions'.

Trump's rant against Collins was defended by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt said Trump was being 'very frank and honest' rather than trying to insult or patronise Collins.