Washington, D.C. — In a display that left many observers appalled, President Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of insults and accusations against CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins during a heated Oval Office exchange on Monday.
The confrontation, which unfolded in front of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and senior White House officials, centered on Trump’s refusal to comply with a Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador.
Collins, CNN’s chief White House correspondent, pressed Trump on whether he would honor the court’s directive.
Instead of addressing the question, Trump lashed out, deriding Collins.
Trump deriding Collins as a “very low-rated anchor” and accused CNN of
“hating” the country. “No one watches you anymore; you have no credibility.”
The president’s anger escalated as Collins persisted, reminding him of his previous statements that he would comply with the Supreme Court if ordered.
Trump, visibly frustrated, retorted, “Why don’t you just say, ‘Isn’t it great that we’re keeping criminals out of our country?’ Why can’t you just say that?” He then accused CNN of biased reporting, claiming, “They don’t understand what’s going on, which is why their viewership is dwindling.”
President Bukele, known for his hardline approach to crime, joined Trump in criticizing the press.
When Collins asked if Bukele would assist in returning Garcia, Bukele dismissed the idea as “preposterous,” labeling Garcia a “terrorist.” Trump’s cabinet members, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and advisor Stephen Miller, echoed the administration’s stance, asserting that Garcia was ineligible for return due to alleged ties to the MS-13 gang—a claim his family and legal representatives dispute.
Collins, undeterred by the president’s attacks, addressed the incident on her evening show, “The Source.” She highlighted that court documents do not support the administration’s claims of Garcia’s gang affiliation and noted that a federal judge found insufficient evidence to label him a terrorist.
Collins also pointed out that the Justice Department admitted the deportation was a mistake and that the Supreme Court had explicitly ordered the White House to “facilitate” Garcia’s return.
The episode drew swift condemnation from press freedom advocates and journalists, who viewed Trump’s conduct as emblematic of his broader hostility toward the media.
Critics argued that the president’s refusal to answer legitimate questions and his personal attacks on reporters undermine democratic accountability and the rule of law.
The White House, for its part, doubled down on its position.
Stephen Miller characterized Collins’s questions as “extremely presumptuous,” insisting that the U.S. should not dictate how El Salvador manages its citizens. Bondi reiterated that the administration would not pursue Garcia’s return unless El Salvador agreed, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The confrontation comes amid heightened scrutiny of Trump’s immigration policies and his administration’s compliance with judicial orders. It also underscores the ongoing tension between the White House and the press, particularly CNN, which Trump has repeatedly targeted throughout his presidency.
Collins’s composure and persistence in the face of presidential ire drew praise from colleagues and viewers alike.
The incident served as a stark reminder of the challenges journalists face in holding power to account—and the lengths to which some leaders will go to avoid answering difficult questions.
Trump Berates Female CNN Star in Oval Office Temper Tantrum (April 16, 2025)
#Trump #KaitlanCollins #CNN #OvalOffice #PressFreedom
#Media #WhiteHouse #Deportation #Bukele #MS13
Tags: Pam Bondi, Kaitlan Collins, CNN, Oval Office, White House,
Trump, deportation, El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, Supreme Court,
press freedom, media, MS-13, Stephen Miller, Kilmar Abrego Garcia
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