Trump reprimands CNN reporter after questioning Epstein in tense exchange
President Donald Trump reprimanded a CNN reporter who asked about the Justice Department’s recent release of Jeffrey Epstein files.
President Donald Trump criticized CNN anchor Caitlan Collins for “not laughing” after she questioned the file on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In an exchange in the Oval Office on February 3, President Trump told Collins, “You’re the worst reporter,” and “CNN can’t get ratings because of people like you.”
He continued, “You know she’s a young woman. 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. Do you know why you don’t smile? Because you know you’re not telling the truth.”
The tense exchange began when Collins asked the president about editing the Epstein file. Trump responded in part, “I think it’s time for the country to do something else,” before drawing on his frustration with Collins.
Watch the interaction in the video at the top of the story.
This isn’t the first time Trump has lashed out at reporters, not to mention calling Collins “stupid and mean” in December 2025.
Similarly, when a journalist asked President Trump about the Epstein file on Air Force One in November 2025, the president pointed at her and said, “Quiet! Quiet, pig.”
CNN colleagues defend Caitlan Collins
At X, several of Collins’ CNN colleagues came to her defense after the exchange.
“Caitlan is an amazing reporter and human being,” anchor Jake Tapper wrote.
David Axelrod, the network’s political analyst, called Collins “one of our finest journalists. Smart, tireless, fearless and fair,” adding, “I’m proud to call her a colleague and friend.”
CNN said in a statement that Collins is “an outstanding journalist who reports with real depth and tenacity from the White House and on the ground every day.”
“Every day, she expertly brings that reporting to the anchor chair and CNN platforms that viewers around the world know they can trust,” the station said.
Trump has a history with CNN’s Caitlan Collins
Collins, the White House’s chief correspondent and host of CNN’s “The Source,” has a history of sparring with the Trump administration.
In a post on Truth Social on December 6, 2025, President Trump slammed Collins after she asked about budget issues for the construction of the White House ballroom.
“The always stupid and mean Fake News Caitlin Collin of CNN asked me why the new ballroom is costing more money than I originally thought a year ago,” the president wrote, misspelling his name. “We said it because it will be twice the size and the quality of the finishes and interior will be at the highest level.”
“The man who runs Fake News CNN and the entire corrupt organization that owns it is one of the worst people in the industry,” he continued. “Their ratings are so low that they don’t even count or be relevant anymore. MAGA!!!”
“Technically, my question was about Venezuela,” Collins responded in a now-expired Instagram Story post.
During Trump’s first White House tenure, Collins similarly clashed with the administration.
In 2018, she was ejected from a press conference in the Rose Garden after asking President Trump a question in the Oval Office. CNN defended Collins at the time, adding that the decision to suspend him was “retaliation” and called for “improvement.”
In 2020, Trump left the White House briefing room after Collins asked him about the controversial drug hydroxychloroquine during a briefing on the coronavirus.
Contributor: Anna Kaufman and Jay Stahl, USA TODAY
This story has been updated with additional information.
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Contact her at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
