Content Advisory: This article discusses political attacks, media criticism, Jan. 6-related funding questions, and personal remarks made during a White House press conference. Reader discretion is advised.
Donald Trump’s latest clash with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins turned personal fast.
During a White House press conference on June 3, Collins asked Trump about the $1.8 billion DOJ Anti-Weaponization Fund, a controversial proposal that critics say could benefit people connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Trump did not give a clear answer. “I’d have to ask the lawyers,” he said.
Then he shifted hard into attack mode. “The weaponization fund, as far as I’m concerned, was a beautiful thing,” Trump said. He claimed people in the media had “abused our people,” naming CNN and The New York Times.
When Collins tried to follow up, Trump cut her off. “Wait a minute, be quiet,” he snapped.
Trump Targets Kaitlan Collins’ Past
Trump then told Collins she should be “ashamed” of herself.
“You used to be a conservative,” he said. He turned to the room and added, “She used to be a conservative from Alabama, can you believe it?”
Collins has not publicly declared a party affiliation. Before joining CNN, she worked as an editor and writer at The Daily Caller, a right-leaning website.
Trump used that history to frame her as someone who had changed sides. Then he went further. He called CNN “corrupt” and described Collins as a “corrupt reporter” standing in the room.
Trump Says Collins Has ‘Hatred In Her Eyes’
The president also made a personal comment about Collins’ appearance and demeanor.
“Never smiles,” Trump said. “A young, beautiful woman, never smiles!”
He claimed she looked at him with “hatred in her eyes.” “I never see a smile on her face,” Trump said. “I see her standing there with hatred in her eyes.”
He then tied that alleged hatred to his political agenda, claiming Collins disliked him because of his border policies, military strength, tax cuts, and election win.
Trump also moved from the CNN exchange into foreign policy, saying the U.S. had taken “a detour down to Iran” because Iran could not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.
CNN Defends Collins
This was not Trump and Collins’ first tense exchange.
In February, they clashed in the Oval Office, where Trump called her the “worst reporter.”
CNN later defended Collins after the latest confrontation. “Kaitlan Collins is an exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity,” a spokesperson said. The network added that Collins brings her reporting to CNN’s platforms every day and that audiences around the world know they can trust her.
Trump has long used press confrontations as political theater. This one had the usual pieces: CNN, “fake news,” a personal insult, and a question he did not appear eager to answer. But the “be quiet” moment gave the exchange its sharpest edge.
