Trump Snubs CNN Star Mid-Question (Video)

In a moment that’s drawing fresh scrutiny over the Trump administration’s combative posture toward the press, former President Donald Trump publicly cut off CNN’s Kaitlan Collins during a White House briefing Tuesday—just as she attempted to ask about a growing national security controversy.

“Excuse me, I didn’t pick you,” Trump snapped, waving off Collins and calling on another reporter instead. The moment came during a televised meeting with foreign ambassadors, where reporters were allowed to ask limited questions.

The exchange quickly went viral, reigniting debates over Trump’s fraught relationship with the press—and with Collins in particular, who has emerged as one of the few national reporters consistently pressing Trump on foreign policy, ethics, and transparency.

A Press Briefing Turns Cold

Collins began to ask about the so-called “Signal incident,” a security breach involving an encrypted messaging app and a highly sensitive group chat that mistakenly included Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg.

“Mr. President, you said that your national security team—” she began, before Trump abruptly cut her off.

He turned instead to a friendlier face in the room. “Go ahead,” he said, pointing elsewhere.

The brush-off came hours after Trump defended National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who had reportedly added Goldberg to the classified group conversation by accident. The chat discussed a potential U.S. military strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen—an operation that was never officially confirmed.

Trump downplayed the breach. “It was a glitch, an unfortunate one,” he said earlier that morning during a radio interview. “Mike Waltz is doing a fantastic job. This was not his fault.”

But cybersecurity experts weren’t so quick to dismiss it.

“This wasn’t just an accidental text. It was a digital lapse involving classified planning,” said former NSA analyst Jamil Nassar. “And the fact that the White House is calling it a ‘glitch’ raises more questions than it answers.”

Long-Running Feud Resurfaces

Trump’s disdain for Collins is nothing new. Their clashes date back to his first term, when she was CNN’s White House correspondent. In 2018, she was barred from a press event after asking “inappropriate” questions, according to the Trump team.

“She’s always trying to trap me,” Trump said during a recent campaign rally in Iowa. “She’s not a reporter—she’s an activist.”

During an earlier Oval Office exchange, Collins pressed Trump on whether he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I think he wants peace,” Trump responded. “I spoke with him yesterday. He would tell me if he didn’t.”

Collins followed up: “Do you trust him?”

Trump shot back with a personal jab. “I know Biden’s your friend. He’s CNN’s friend. That’s why no one watches CNN anymore. No credibility.”

Questions Unanswered

In another heated moment last month, Collins challenged Trump over his controversial claim that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies contributed to a deadly mid-air collision in Washington, D.C.

“Does it help the victims’ families to hear you blame DEI?” she asked.

“I think that’s not a very smart question,” Trump replied. “I’m surprised, coming from you.”

The White House later released no evidence linking DEI training to the crash.

Mounting Legal Drama

Beyond the press clashes, Trump has recently stirred legal speculation by suggesting that pardons issued under President Joe Biden might be illegitimate—claiming they were signed using an autopen without Biden’s direct approval.

“The documents weren’t shown to Biden. He didn’t know about them. That’s a crime,” Trump claimed at a campaign stop in Florida.

When pressed for evidence, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt turned the tables on Collins: “You’re a reporter, you should find out.”

A Bigger Pattern

This latest incident highlights what critics say is a dangerous trend in Trump’s approach to the media.

“Shutting down questions from journalists—especially on matters of national security—isn’t just rude. It’s undemocratic,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). “The public has a right to answers.”

As the 2024 campaign heats up and Trump’s political comeback charges forward, press access—and who gets to ask the questions—may become just as important as the answers themselves.