President Donald Trump abruptly cut off CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins during a press briefing, escalating ongoing tensions between the administration and the network. The exchange unfolded as Collins attempted to question the president on a topic related to national security, prompting Trump to interrupt and move on without allowing her to complete her sentence.
Visibly frustrated, Collins attempted to re-engage, but Trump refused to yield the floor, stating he would not respond to what he called “another fake question.” The president then directed his attention to another reporter, signaling the end of the interaction.
The incident marks the latest clash in a long-standing feud between Trump and CNN, a network he has frequently accused of biased coverage. Collins, one of the network’s chief White House correspondents, has been at the center of several heated moments during prior briefings.
Following the exchange, the White House defended the president’s actions, asserting that he has the right to manage the briefing and choose which questions to answer. CNN has not released a formal statement regarding the confrontation, but internal sources confirmed the network stands by its correspondent.
The moment has drawn a wave of responses on social media and among political commentators, with supporters and critics weighing in on the appropriateness of the president’s response. The exchange underscores the continuing friction between the press and the executive branch in a high-stakes election year.