A CNN reporter has spoken out after footage of Donald Trump grilling her for 'never smiling' went viral earlier this week.
Journalist and news anchor Kaitlan Collins attended a press conference held in the White House on Tuesday (3 Feb), where the Republican leader faced questions regarding his involvement in the latest release of the Epstein files.
Trump, 79, is amongst the numerous high-profile individuals to feature in photographs, videos and emails previously held by the US Department of Justice that to the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein.
Following the passing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche had led a staggered release of said documents, which also feature the likes of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Sarah Ferguson, Lord Peter Mandelson, Elon Musk, Richard Branson, Steve Bannon, Norway's Crown Princess Mette Marit, Larry Summers and Bill Gates.
Advert
As a reminder, Trump has continuously denying any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein's crimes, despite the pair previously running in the same celebrity circles and socialising together on numerous known occasions.
The president insists, however, that he and Epstein endured a falling out long before the paedophile was convicted for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.
Asked by a number of reporters of his inclusion in the latest - and apparently, 'final' - batch of files during this week's Oval Office meeting, Trump once again doubled down on his claims, insisting: "Nothing came out about me."
CNN's Collins referenced the involvement of tech boss Elon Musk and current Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick's inclusion in the files - something Trump claimed was 'fine', given that there supposedly no 'major headlines' about the pair (which is incorrect, read more here).
The journalist also questioned Trump over some recent redactions in the files, after which some of Epstein's victims have raised transparency complaints.
"What would you say to survivors..." she began before being cut off.
Despite the harrowing nature of the subject matter at hand, the right-wing bizarrely responded by telling Collins to 'smile'. Take a look below:
"You are so bad. You know, you are the worst reporter," Trump hit out. "No wonder CNN has no ratings because of people like you.
"I've known you for ten years. I don't think I've ever seen a smile on your face. You know why you're not smiling?"
Trump continued: "Because you know you're not telling the truth. You're a very dishonest organisation - and they should be ashamed of you.
"I think it's really time for the country to get on to something else, now that nothing came out about me."
Collins has since responded to the bizarre outburst, playing footage of the exchange during an episode of The Source.
On the show, she claimed the politician's reaction is telling, adding: "He views things through the lens of how it affects him."
In response, her fellow CNN contributor Kara Swisher told Collins: "I think you really got under his skin - so he decided to take personal attacks on you which were whatever, it was just ridiculous."
She added: "I think you’re absolutely right to raise that question of what got released and what needs to be released, and now that we’re halfway there, we should do the whole thing."
In a statement given to The Wrap, CNN executives also stood firmly by their reporter.
"Kaitlan Collins is an exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity," it began.
"She skilfully brings that reporting to the anchor chair and CNN platforms every day, which audiences around the world know they can trust."
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Celebrity, Jeffrey Epstein, News, Crime
Rhianna Benson