President Donald Trump snapped at a female reporter after she asked a question about the Epstein files.
The tense moment began on Tuesday (February 3) when the 79-year-old was speaking with reporters alongside US House Speaker Mike Johnson.
As he discussed the state of the country, he turned to CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins, remarking: “Look, CNN is thrilled… She never smiles. Someday I'll see her smile.”
Shortly after, the 33-year-old reporter attempted to ask the president a question about his stance on the survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“What would you say to the survivors…” she asked, referring to those who had been sexually abused by the disgraced financier.
Trump, visibly frustrated, interrupted her by saying: “You are the worst reporter. No wonder CNN... 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. I’ve known you for 10 years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face," he added.
Despite the personal attack, Collins calmly responded: “Well, I’m asking you about survivors.”
Trump quickly fired back: “You know why you’re not smiling? Because you know you’re not telling the truth...You’re a very dishonest organization, and they should be ashamed of you.”
CNN Defends Collins’ Professionalism
CNN responded to Trump’s attack in a statement. According to PEOPLE, a spokesperson praised her work, stating: “Kaitlan Collins is an exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity.
"She skillfully brings that reporting to the anchor chair and CNN platforms every day, which audiences around the world know they can trust," they added.
This incident is not the first time the president has publicly targeted Collins. In December 2025, Trump took to Truth Social to call Collins “always stupid, and nasty” after she asked about a White House ballroom remodeling project.
Similarly, he has insulted other female reporters, including CBS News’ Nancy Cordes, whom he called “a stupid person,” and The New York Times’ Katie Rogers, whom he labeled “ugly, both inside and out.”
Epstein Files and the Controversy Surrounding Their Release
The tense exchange occurred against the backdrop of ongoing controversies surrounding the release of Epstein’s investigative files.
The Justice Department, under Trump’s administration, was required to disclose all files related to Epstein’s activities by December 19, 2025, under the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA).
However, the final release of over 3 million pages last week came more than a month after the deadline.
The delayed release has sparked outrage among advocates for Epstein’s victims, who claim that the documents released so far fail to provide a complete picture of the convicted sex offender’s network and his ability to evade justice for decades.
With millions of documents still withheld, some believe the full extent of Epstein’s crimes and his powerful enablers remain hidden.
Jennifer Plotkin, a lawyer representing over 30 victims, said: “The release of the files proves the government failed the victims over and over again," per The Guardian.
Dr. Ann Olivarius, a women’s rights attorney, echoed similar concerns, stressing that the disclosed files do not shed light on the immunity Epstein appeared to have received, which protected him from earlier investigations.
Legal Experts Demand Further Disclosure
Legal experts have expressed concerns that the Department of Justice has not released all relevant documents, with some calling the disclosure process inadequate and filled with redactions.
Jennifer Freeman, an attorney representing one of Epstein’s victims, Maria Farmer, criticized the release, stating: “At this point, we have more questions than answers. Where is the rest of Maria Farmer’s FBI file? Where are the records of complaints that so many other women made to FBI and how the FBI investigated those complaints?”
Top Democrats, including Congressman Jamie Raskin, have also blasted the Justice Department’s handling of the case.
“They’ve only released 3m with more than 10,000 redactions. What about the other 3m files?" Raskin said. "We’re just getting the dribs and drabs of information coming out, the stuff that they want us to see.”
In response to the ongoing backlash over the Epstein files, Trump’s Justice Department officials stated that they had complied with the law and that the files were being reviewed to ensure transparency.
"This is a tired narrative. Just because you wish something to be true, doesn’t mean it is. This Department produced more than 3.5 million pages in compliance with the law and has disclosed to the public and to Congress what items were not responsive, in accordance with the Act," a Justice Department official said in an email.