A man telling a woman to smile is generally seen as something that a man should avoid doing. But Donald Trump has never cared all that much about such niceties.
There was an example of that on Tuesday, when Trump scolded CNN’s White House correspondent Kaitlyn Collins for not smiling while asking about the Epstein document releases.
When CNN reporter “kaitlan collins” presses trump about Epstein files… He says, u r the worst reporter,.. “I think, I have ever seen a smile on your face, I have known u for 10 yr. CNN must be ashamed of u”.
On the other side, he isn’t ashamed Even after 36 felony cases. pic.twitter.com/r9nGB835UU
— Mr_Bond_OO7 (@0075jamesbond) February 4, 2026
“She’s a young woman — I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile,” Trump said during a White House press availability at the White House, per the New York Times. “I’ve known you for 10 years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face.”
After Collins noted that she was talking about a sex abuse story, Trump said, “You know why you’re not smiling? Because you know you’re not telling the truth.”
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In the same session, Trump told Collins, “You are so bad… You know, you are the worst reporter. No wonder. CNN has no ratings because of people like you.”
CNN issued a statement, later on the day, describing Collins as “an exceptional journalist” and one who reports “with real depth and tenacity.”
In the same press conference, Collins asked about Trump’s plans to “nationalize” elections in an unnamed 15 states, declaring that “the state is an agent of the federal government in elections.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders on President Trump’s call to nationalize elections: “The idea that anyone would trust for one minute this guy running an honest election would be beyond comprehension. Not to mention that obviously he has not read the Constitution of the United States, which… pic.twitter.com/JoyqoXX62A
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) February 4, 2026
“Take a look at Detroit. Take a look at Pennsylvania, take a look at Philadelphia. You go take look at Atlanta,” Trump said, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer. “The federal government should get involved.”
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
