CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins has spoken out about a comment about smiling she received from Donald Trump.
Earlier this month, the president criticized Kaitlin during a press conference when the journalist asked him about Jeffrey Epstein. Kaitlin began to ask a question about the victims of the deceased sex offender before she was cut off. Trump criticized the reporter’s demeanor, as well as the CNN network.
Donald Trump was questioned about Jeffrey Epstein by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins
“You are the worst reporter,” Trump told Kaitlin. “No wonder CNN … CNN has no ratings because of people like you.” He continued.
“You know, she’s a young woman. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile. I’ve known you for 10 years, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face.”
The comment was widely criticized as sexist, as men are rarely ever told to smile more often. Furthermore, other objectors cited the move as a distraction by Trump, who did not want to discuss the Epstein investigation.
Now, Kaitlin is speaking about her view on the experience. She discussed the awkward moment on The Late Show with host Stephen Colbert.
“I don’t think it surprised me in the moment of the attack. I mean, the president has called me a lot of names, he’s gone after me and tried to deflect from the questions that we’re asking.”
Kaitlin then implied that Trump made the comment because she was a female reporter. “But in that moment, he is someone who is often politically savvy or tied in with what his base wants,” she added. “In that moment, I was thinking if he had said that in response to a different question, I think it would have had a different reaction.”
“I think a lot of women can identify with that moment and that feeling,” the news anchor added. “I think it was actually the question that is what generated so many headlines out of that. Because my question was about sexual assault survivors and it wasn’t even accusatory of the president.”
Kaitlin went on to say she thought it was inappropriate to smile during such a sensitive topic. “I don’t think it’s a controversial opinion that you shouldn’t smile when you’re asking questions about a sex trafficker and sexual assault victims,” she told Stephen.
In response, the audience applauded. “That’s reasonable,” the host said.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK IT’S SEXIST TO TELL WOMEN TO SMILE?
