President Donald Trump harshly criticized CNN correspondent, Kaitlan Collins, during a press conference in the Oval Office, which elicited laughter from the other journalists present. This incident occurred on Thursday, as Trump was answering questions about the relationship between Russia and Ukraine.
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In the midst of his response, Collins interrupted the president to question his trust in the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. Trump, who was in the middle of explaining the situation in Ukraine, did not hesitate to deflect the question towards Collins, insinuating a close relationship between her and former President Joe Biden. “I know (Biden is) a friend of yours,” Trump responded, indicating that the journalist had a preference towards the former president.
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The president continued his attack on CNN, claiming that the network has lost credibility with the audience. “He is a friend of CNN. That’s why no one watches CNN anymore. Because they have no credibility”, said Trump, eliciting laughter from those present. These types of confrontations are not new for Collins, who has been in the president’s crosshairs on several occasions.
An encounter marked by tension
Trump was in the middle of a statement about Putin’s alleged willingness to achieve peace with Ukraine when Collins interrupted. “I think he wants peace. I think President Putin, when I spoke to him yesterday, I know him very well. Yes, I think he wants peace. I think he would tell me if I didn’t want him, I think he would like to see peace”, comentó Trump from his desk.
Collins then asked about the confidence Trump has in Putin, which led to the president’s reaction. These kinds of interactions have been common between Trump and CNN reporters. Last month, for example, she asked about his claims that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies had contributed to a plane crash in Washington D.C. “Does it comfort (the victims' families) to hear you blame DEI policies?” Collins asked, to which Trump responded: “I don’t think that’s a very smart question”.
The dynamics between Trump and the media have been tense, especially with CNN. The president has labeled the network as “noticia falsa” on multiple occasions, arguing that its coverage is biased, often without providing arguments. This act of confrontation not only reflects the relationship between Trump and Collins but also the polarized political climate in the United States.
The response of the media
This is not the first time that Trump has confronted the media in an aggressive tone. Reporters covering the White House are accustomed to his direct and often combative style. The situation has led many to question the dynamic between power and the press, a topic that has gained relevance in recent years.
The reaction to this type of exchanges varies between Trump’s supporters and his detractors. Some see his attacks as an attempt to divert attention from more serious issues, as he generally does not address the underlying concerns, while others support his stance against what they consider media bias.