Trump calls CNN’s Kaitlan Collins ‘very dumb and unhappy’ as he continues attacks on women journalists

Trump calls CNN’s Kaitlan Collins ‘very dumb and unhappy’ as he continues attacks on women journalists Trump has repeatedly targeted Collins for ‘not smiling’ - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments President Donald Trump has launched another personal attack on Kaitlan Collins, calling CNN’s chief White House correspondent “very dumb and unhappy.” Trump, who has repeatedly targeted Collins for “not smiling,” unleashed on the White House reporter late Tuesday and ahead of his speech Wednesday night at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas. His tirade followed a panel hosted by Collins this week, where a New York Times reporter said a recent Trump rally in South Carolina was half empty and “really, really low” energy. Crowd size became a fixation for the president during the 2024 presidential campaign. “Very dumb and unhappy Fake News CNN “reporter,” Kaitlan Collins (really low ratings, also!), had a panel where discussions were all FICTION AND LIES,” Trump fumed in his Truth Social post. “You would think that CNN, which is suffering terribly in the TV Ratings, would get rid of their 3rd rate “anchors,” and try to bring credibility back to their once storied network. It is fading FAST!” White House reporter Shawn McCreesh told Collins he attended the Trump rally in Myrtle Beach last month, where the president campaigned for Sen. Darline Graham in the Republican primary runoff. “I have to tell you, the energy in the room was really, really low,” McCreesh said. “The place was not packed, the seats were full, but the back half of the convention center was empty.” Collins is used to being on the receiving end of Trump’s insults. At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in late July, the president berated her again for “never smiling.” The reporter took the high road when asked about it by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. “I’ve always felt this, regardless of who's the president, whether it's Joe Biden, Donald Trump,” she began. “It's really not about me, and I don't want it to be about my reaction. And so I think if you let it become about that, then it becomes a back and forth between the two of us.” Collins explained that she felt it was “more effective” if viewers focus on the question she asked in moments when the president is insulting her or when he gets “angry.” “I just think in those moments, it's important to put the reminder back on the work, on the question, and on the non-answers that we get,” she said. Trump has insulted numerous female reporters over the years. Last November, the president told Bloomberg’s White House correspondent, Catherine Lucey, to be “quiet piggy” on Air Force One. Lucey had been trying to ask Trump about the Jeffrey Epstein files scandal, but only managed to finish half of her follow-up question before the president cut her off. “Quiet. Quiet piggy!” Trump said, leaning over her. In response to the backlash, the White House claimed the reporter had “behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments