A routine White House press meeting turned contentious on Thursday, February 13, 2025, when President Donald Trump publicly ridiculed CNN Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins. This prompted laughter from other reporters in the Oval Office, marking the latest chapter in his turbulent relationship with the network.

As Trump held up the signed plan for the press cameras in the Oval Office, Collins asked him about the potential impact of his tariffs on inflation. Collins added that his election victory was partly driven by high inflation. Before she could finish, Trump interrupted, reminding her she had not been called to speak yet.

The exchange carried on during questions about Trump’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the Ukraine war. When Collins pressed Trump about whether he trusted Putin, the interaction quickly became personal.

“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 declared, speaking over Collins’ attempts at follow-up questions. 

The exchange grew increasingly heated as Trump shifted to criticizing the destruction in Ukraine. Trump painted a grim picture of the devastation in Ukraine, referencing the collapse of towering golden structures, now completely destroyed with no hope of restoration. He shifted focus to the human tragedy, stressing that millions had died, including large numbers of soldiers and civilians. The cities, reduced to lifeless ruins, lay scattered in heaps of ash and broken concrete. The sight, he explained, resembled a large-scale demolition zone, with once-thriving areas now flattened and unrecognizable. Trump then turned towards Collins with a personal attack: “I know he’s a friend of yours,” presumably referring to former President Biden.

When Collins attempted to ask about Putin withdrawing forces, Trump cut her off with a final barb that drew laughter from other reporters: “He’s a friend of CNN, and that’s why nobody watches CNN anymore because they have no credibility.” 

The confrontation reflected Trump’s long-standing pattern of targeting Collins, who has become known for asking challenging questions during press meetings. Trump has frequently singled out Collins for criticism, often interrupting her questions and questioning her credibility. The network’s Chief White House Correspondent has maintained a reputation for pressing the president on sensitive topics, particularly regarding his relationship with Putin and Russia.

Trump’s antagonistic relationship with CNN dates back to his first presidential campaign when he began labeling the network as “fake news” and refusing to take questions from its reporters. The tension escalated during his previous term, leading to multiple confrontations with CNN journalists and the temporary revocation of press credentials for some reporters. 

The latest incident occurred as Trump was highlighting his “lengthy and highly productive” 90-minute conversation with Putin about negotiating an end to the Ukraine war. During the call, the leaders agreed to have their teams begin immediate negotiations to end the conflict, with Trump saying he would inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the conversation. 

Trump had appeared to endorse key Russian positions during his call with Putin, including describing Ukraine’s NATO membership as “impractical” and the return of occupied territories as “illusionary.” These statements effectively surrendered crucial negotiating leverage before formal talks had even begun. 

The White House press corps has often been central to Trump’s mainstream media criticism, with CNN seemingly constantly receiving particular attention. His tendency to lash out at reporters who challenge him has become a defining feature of Trump’s public appearances, often turning press events into arenas for personal attacks and deflection. These confrontations reflect a broader strategy of using the press as a foil, reinforcing his narrative while leaving critical questions unanswered.