Trump’s Scathing Remark: ‘Stupid and Nasty’

Key Takeaways:

• CNN host and reporter Kaitlan Collins was attacked by Donald Trump in a social media tirade, where he described her as "stupid and nasty"
• The attack was in response to Collins’ reporting on Trump’s plans for the White House ballroom renovation, which has seen a significant increase in cost
• Collins responded to Trump’s attack by highlighting a lapse in his memory, pointing out that her original question was about Venezuela, not the ballroom renovation
• Trump’s attack on Collins is part of a larger pattern of behavior, where he has targeted female journalists with disparaging remarks and personal attacks
• The incident has sparked concerns about the treatment of female journalists and the president’s continued use of social media to attack and intimidate the press

Introduction to the Incident
The recent social media tirade by Donald Trump against CNN host and reporter Kaitlan Collins has sparked widespread criticism and concern. Collins, who is the Chief White House Correspondent for CNN, was described by Trump as "stupid and nasty" in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform. The attack was in response to Collins’ reporting on Trump’s plans for the White House ballroom renovation, which has seen a significant increase in cost. However, as Collins pointed out, her original question to Trump was actually about Venezuela, not the ballroom renovation.

The Background to the Incident
The incident began when Collins posed a question to Trump on December 5 about his threats against Venezuela as he helped kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Washington, D.C. Trump responded by claiming that he has ended "eight wars and we have a ninth coming … which nobody’s ever done before." However, his response did not address Collins’ question, and instead seemed to deflect attention away from the issue. Later, Collins reported on Trump’s plans for the White House ballroom renovation, which has seen a significant increase in cost, from $200 million to $300 million. Trump’s response to this reporting was to launch a personal attack on Collins, describing her as "stupid and nasty" and claiming that she was trying to mislead the public about the cost of the renovation.

Trump’s Attack on Collins
Trump’s attack on Collins was typical of his behavior towards female journalists, who he often targets with disparaging remarks and personal attacks. In his post, Trump claimed that Collins was "always Stupid and Nasty" and that she had asked him a question about the ballroom renovation that was designed to mislead the public. However, as Collins pointed out, her original question was actually about Venezuela, not the ballroom renovation. Trump’s post also included several jabs at Collins’ employers, including CNN, which he described as "Fake News" and claimed was "not even counted or relevant anymore."

A Pattern of Behavior
Trump’s attack on Collins is part of a larger pattern of behavior, where he has targeted female journalists with disparaging remarks and personal attacks. In recent weeks, Trump has launched similar attacks on other female journalists, including Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey, who he told to "Quiet, piggy" when she asked about the Epstein files. He has also attacked The New York Times’ Katie Rogers, who he described as "a third-rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out." Additionally, Trump has lashed out at CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes, who he asked if she was "stupid" when she asked about the National Guard shooting near the White House. These incidents have sparked concerns about the treatment of female journalists and the president’s continued use of social media to attack and intimidate the press.

Response to the Incident
Collins responded to Trump’s attack by highlighting a lapse in his memory, pointing out that her original question was about Venezuela, not the ballroom renovation. Her response was widely praised by her colleagues and other journalists, who saw it as a calm and professional response to a personal attack. The incident has also sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of female journalists and the need for greater respect and professionalism in the way that they are treated by public figures. As one of the most prominent female journalists in the country, Collins’ response to Trump’s attack has been seen as a powerful statement about the importance of standing up to bullying and intimidation.

Conclusion
The incident between Donald Trump and Kaitlan Collins is a disturbing example of the president’s continued use of social media to attack and intimidate the press. Trump’s behavior towards female journalists is particularly concerning, and his attacks on Collins and other women in the media are a clear attempt to silence and discredit them. However, as Collins’ response shows, these attacks will not be successful in intimidating or silencing female journalists. Instead, they will continue to do their job, reporting on the news and holding those in power to account, no matter what personal attacks or intimidation they may face.