CNN journalist fires back after Trump calls her “stupid” and “mean.”

Trump’s contentious relationship with the press is well-documented.

Throughout his political career, he has frequently labeled unfavorable coverage as “fake news,” a term that has become closely associated with his approach to media criticism.

Critics argue that his confrontational style has undermined public trust in journalism, while supporters claim that he is simply holding the media accountable.

However, the escalation in attacks specifically targeting female reporters represents a notable shift in the tenor of his rhetoric.

Historically, the idea of a U.S. president publicly insulting a journalist would have been widely condemned and considered a national scandal.

Yet, under Trump’s tenure and continuing into his post-presidency activities, such behavior has increasingly been normalized.

The president has called reporters names ranging from “stupid” to “nasty,” and has even used ableist and derogatory terms against elected officials.

While the White House insists that these remarks have “nothing to do with gender,” the pattern of targeting women has raised alarm among media watchdogs and advocacy groups.

Recent Escalation: Verbal Attacks on Female Reporters

In November, the president sparked outrage when he told a Bloomberg White House correspondent to “quiet, piggy” during a press encounter.

The journalist’s question, relating to the Epstein files, was one Trump clearly preferred not to answer.

The remark drew condemnation from press organizations and civil rights advocates, who argued that such language was both inappropriate and degrading.

The attacks did not stop there. Shortly afterward, Trump directed a series of insults at a female CNN reporter, calling her “nasty” and “stupid.”

These comments, made in a public setting, quickly circulated across social media platforms, reigniting discussions about the president’s treatment of female journalists.

Critics argued that the comments reflected a broader trend of using gendered insults to demean women in positions of authority, while supporters claimed the criticism was aimed solely at the reporters’ questions or coverage.

Thanksgiving week saw further examples of the president’s confrontational style.

Through posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump attacked political rivals and public figures using language that many considered discriminatory.

He referred to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz using an ableist slur and targeted Representative Ilhan Omar with an Islamophobic remark, describing her as “the worst ‘Congressman/woman’ in our Country… always wrapped in her swaddling hijab.”

These statements illustrate a broader pattern of using personal attacks as a political strategy, often directed at individuals who challenge him or question his actions.

The Kaitlan Collins Incident

Perhaps the most widely discussed recent incident involved CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, the network’s chief White House correspondent.

During a press conference, Collins asked Trump questions about renovations at the White House, including a new ballroom the president claimed was privately funded.

Rather than respond directly, Trump snapped at Collins, asking: “Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?”

Later, Trump took to Truth Social to further criticize Collins, misspelling her name and writing: “Caitlin Collin’s of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty…”

He also defended the renovations, claiming the project was “under budget and ahead of schedule,” “much bigger and more beautiful than originally planned,” and “fully paid for by private donations,” all while continuing to rail against what he termed “FAKE NEWS CNN.” Continue reading…