President Trump on Monday clashed with reporter Kaitlan Collins once again, slamming her network as “CNN fake news” as the journalist badgered him with questions about the Israel-Iran conflict.
Collins, who hosts “The Source with Kaitlan Collins” and serves as CNN’s chief White House correspondent, launched several questions at Trump about his early departure from the G7 Summit in Canada after he abruptly warned “everyone” to evacuate Tehran.
As Collins started to ask another question, surrounded by other journalists aboard Air Force One, the president cut her off, saying: “Who else has a question other than CNN fake news?”
President Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday as he departs Canada. Getty Images
Kaitlan Collins is CNN’s chief White House correspondent. Bloomberg via Getty ImagesOn Monday, Collins had asked Trump about a post he made on Truth Social denying claims from French President Emmanuel Macron that the US left the summit early to seek a cease-fire agreement.
“We’re not looking for a cease-fire, I didn’t say it was going to be a cease-fire,” Trump told Collins.
The reporter then asked if there is “any guarantee” that a US bomb would be able to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities should the country get involved.
“There’s no guarantees on everything or anything in life, you know that. Look at you, right?” Trump responded.
“I hope their program’s going to be wiped out long before then but they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon,” he added.
Trump cut off Collins and asked for questions from an outlet “other than CNN fake news.” REUTERSTrump has gone after Collins several times since taking office, calling her a “low-rated anchor,”cutting her off to take queries from other journalists during press briefings and insulting her “not very smart” questions.
Macron had told reporters covering the G7 meeting that the US had assured that “they will find a cease-fire, and since they can pressure Israel, things may change.”
Read the latest on the Israel-Iran conflict:
- UN ambassador touts phase 2 for Gaza peace plan: ‘Hamas has to go’
- Gaza cease-fire at critical point as Hamas fails to release body of last remaining hostage
- Hamas not committed to peace plan or disarming, Israeli foreign minister says
- Hamas commander, 3 cronies killed trying to escape Gaza tunnel with slain IDF soldier’s rifle
Trump slammed Macron’s comments as “publicity seeking,” adding that the French leader “has no idea why I am on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire.”
As Israel and Iran traded strikes for a fifth day Tuesday, Trump said he is looking for a “real end” to the conflict, something “better” than a truce.
