On Thursday, February 13, 2025, a regular press meeting at the White House turned into a controversial scene when President Donald Trump publicly mocked Kaitlan Collins, CNN Chief White House Correspondent. This provoked laughter from other journalists present in the Oval Office, marking another episode in his ongoing feud with the network.
While presenting the signed plan to the press in the Oval Office, Collins inquired about the probable effects of his tariffs on inflation. She argued that his victory in the elections was somewhat influenced by high inflation. However, before she could complete her point, Trump interjected, stating she hadn’t been asked to comment yet.
The dialogue continued amidst questions about Trump’s telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning the war in Ukraine. The situation quickly became personal when Collins questioned Trump about his level of trust in Putin.
“I believe that, uh yeah, I believe that he would like to see something happen. I trust him on the subject. I think he’d like to see something happen. I think it could have happened a long time ago,” Trump stated, speaking over Collins’ attempts to ask further questions.
The conversation became increasingly tense as Trump shifted to the criticism of Ukraine’s destruction. He painted a bleak image of the damage in Ukraine, citing the fall of towering golden structures, now entirely destroyed with no chance of reconstruction. He then shifted his focus to the human tragedy, emphasizing that millions had lost their lives, including large numbers of soldiers and civilians. He described cities reduced to desolate ruins, lying in piles of ash and broken concrete. Trump then directed a personal comment at Collins: “I know he’s a friend of yours,” presumably referring to former President Biden.
When Collins tried to ask about Putin pulling back forces, Trump interrupted her with a final jibe that elicited laughter from other reporters: “He’s a friend of CNN, and that’s why nobody watches CNN anymore because they have no credibility.”
This confrontation is reflective of Trump’s persistently aggressive behavior towards Collins, who has become known for her tough questions during press meetings. Trump has often singled out Collins for criticism, frequently interrupting her questions and challenging her credibility. Despite this, Collins has maintained a reputation for pushing the President on sensitive subjects, especially concerning his relationship with Putin and Russia.
Trump’s contentious relationship with CNN dates back to his first presidential campaign when he labeled the network as “fake news” and refused to entertain questions from its reporters. The friction intensified during his previous term, resulting in several clashes with CNN journalists and temporary withdrawal of press passes for some reporters.
The recent incident happened while Trump was discussing his “lengthy and highly productive” 90-minute conversation with Putin about reaching a resolution to the Ukraine war. During the call, the leaders agreed to start immediate negotiations to halt the conflict, with Trump saying he would inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the conversation.
During his call with Putin, Trump appeared to support significant Russian stances, including describing Ukraine’s NATO membership as “impractical” and the return of occupied territories as “illusionary.” These remarks essentially relinquished crucial negotiation leverage even before formal discussions had started.
Trump’s criticism of the mainstream media, especially CNN, has often been prominent in the White House press corps. Trump’s tendency to verbally attack reporters who challenge him has become a notable aspect of his public appearances, often transforming press events into platforms for personal attacks and evasion. These confrontations exemplify a broader strategy of using the press as a counterforce, fortifying his narrative while leaving crucial questions unanswered.