President Donald Trump completely lost his composure in the Oval Office on Monday when CNN’s Kaitlan Collins tried to ask him what he would say to survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein—and his response was to attack her appearance.
“What would you say to survivors—” Collins, 33, began before Trump, 79, cut her off.
“You are so bad. You know, you are the worst reporter. No wonder CNN has no ratings because of people like you,” Trump ranted.
Kaitlan Collins airs split-screen footage showing her remaining composed as Trump snaps at her for asking about Epstein. pic.twitter.com/YoMbKwq6LL
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 4, 2026
Then came the classic sexist deflection: “She’s a young woman. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile. I’ve known you for 10 years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face.”
THE DETAILS: Collins was trying to follow up on legitimate concerns from Epstein survivors about heavily redacted files released by the Justice Department. Many survivors have slammed the redactions, while others were improperly named when their identities were supposed to be protected.
“A lot of women who were, are survivors of Epstein, they’re unhappy with those redactions that came out,” Collins said. “Some of them, entire witness interviews are blacked out. Do you think they should be more transparent?”
Trump’s response? To make it about himself.
“I think it’s really time for the country to get on to something else really,” Trump said. “Now that nothing came out about me other than it was a conspiracy against me, literally, by Epstein and other people.”
BUT BUT BUT: That claim is demonstrably false. The files released Friday revealed an allegation of abuse against Trump involving a 13-year-old girl. A classified 2017 memo alleged Trump visited Epstein’s home just before announcing his presidential bid, with a confidential FBI source claiming Epstein was “very close” to Trump. Another document showed a former Epstein assistant told the FBI that the pedophile financier introduced Trump to his wife Melania.
The president has denied any wrongdoing, and the White House called the accusations false.
OF COURSE: When Collins countered that she was simply asking about survivors, Trump kept attacking. “You know why you’re not smiling? Because you know you’re not telling the truth, and you’re a very dishonest organization, and they should be ashamed of you.”
He then called on another reporter without letting Collins finish her question. Even as media was ushered out of the room, Trump could be heard grumbling to those nearby about her not smiling.
WHY IT MATTERS: A 79-year-old president telling a female journalist to smile more while dodging questions about sex abuse survivors isn’t just cringe—it’s a window into how this administration handles accountability. When the questions get uncomfortable, attack the messenger, make it about yourself, and insist everyone move on “to something else really, like health care.”
The survivors who were harmed by Epstein deserve answers about why their interviews are blacked out and why some of their names were improperly exposed. Instead, they got a president who can’t stop talking about himself long enough to acknowledge their existence.