Overview
- The confrontation came after Collins pressed President Trump on the Justice Department’s recent Epstein document release and survivors’ complaints about heavy redactions.
- Trump said he had not read the files, dismissed references to associates Elon Musk and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as likely unproblematic, and urged the country to “move on.”
- When Collins asked what he would say to survivors seeking justice, Trump called her “the worst reporter,” said he had “never seen you smile,” and continued the criticism as reporters were ushered out.
- CNN praised Collins as “an exceptional journalist,” and Collins later reiterated on Jake Tapper’s program that survivors were unhappy with the DOJ’s handling of the release.
- The exchange drew condemnations from journalists and Democratic lawmakers and was framed as part of Trump’s pattern of targeting female reporters, following prior incidents in late 2025.