Overview
- During a Feb. 3 Oval Office availability, Kaitlan Collins asked about the DOJ’s newly released, heavily redacted Epstein documents and survivors’ objections to the redactions.
- Trump said he had not read the latest files, downplayed references to Elon Musk and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and urged the country to move on.
- He cut off Collins, called her “the worst reporter,” remarked that he had “never seen you smile,” and repeated the comment as reporters were ushered out.
- CNN quickly issued a statement praising Collins’ depth and tenacity, and she posted video highlighting survivors’ concerns, including entire FBI interview pages blacked out.
- Coverage framed the clash within a broader pattern of Trump targeting female reporters, citing prior incidents reported in 2025.