President Donald Trump delivered another pointed criticism of CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins during a White House press briefing, remarking that she has “hatred in her eyes” and rarely, if ever, smiles.
The exchange took place shortly after Trump signed a new executive order on Wednesday, June 3. As he addressed members of the press, he fielded a series of questions that eventually turned to his administration’s decision to drop a lawsuit connected to an anti-weaponization fund. What began as a policy discussion quickly expanded into broader criticism of previous administrations, with Trump taking aim at both the Biden and Obama eras before redirecting his focus toward the media—specifically CNN.
“You know, the good thing about sitting here is we can get information that you wouldn’t get otherwise,” Trump said, suggesting that his administration had uncovered details that could surprise the public in the near future. He hinted at developments that, in his view, would emerge over the coming weeks and months. Then, shifting tone, he singled out Collins, who was present in the briefing room.
“CNN is a very corrupt organization, with a corrupt reporter standing right there who never smiles,” Trump said, gesturing in her direction. “She never… a young beautiful woman who never smiles. I never see a smile on her face. I see her standing there with hatred in her eyes.”
Trump went on to suggest that her perceived attitude was linked to his administration’s policies, including stricter border enforcement, increased military strength, and tax reductions—measures he claimed were supported by many Americans. His remarks reflected a broader pattern of criticism he has directed toward media outlets he often labels as “fake news,” particularly those he believes have treated him and his supporters unfairly.
Moments later, Collins posed a direct question regarding the future of the anti-weaponization fund, asking whether the initiative had been permanently abandoned or merely paused. Trump responded that he would need to consult with legal advisors to provide a definitive answer. However, he added that he still considered the idea behind the fund to be strong, arguing that it was designed in response to what he described as mistreatment by certain media organizations.
As another reporter attempted to interject, Trump asked them to wait and returned his attention to Collins. “You should be ashamed of yourself. She used to be a conservative from Alabama, can you believe it?” he said. Collins, maintaining a composed tone, responded, “I’m still from Alabama,” subtly deflecting the remark without escalating the exchange.
This was not the first time Trump had commented on Collins’ demeanor. In a similar moment back in February, he had also pointed out that she did not smile often, making it clear that his observations about her were not isolated. Despite these repeated remarks, Collins has continued to engage actively during press briefings, consistently asking direct and often challenging questions.
Interestingly, just one day prior to this latest exchange, Collins had appeared on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.” During that appearance, she discussed the importance of keeping interviews focused on substantive issues while acknowledging the human element of journalism. She noted that reporters, despite their professional roles, are still individuals navigating high-pressure environments.
The interaction between Trump and Collins underscores the ongoing tension between the president and certain members of the press corps, particularly those affiliated with CNN.
While such confrontations have become a familiar feature of modern political discourse, they continue to draw attention as reflections of the broader relationship between political leadership and the media. Collins, for her part, has remained consistent in her approach, continuing to press for answers despite the personal nature of some of the criticism directed at her.
