00:00CNN Anchor. Caitlin Collins has addressed public remarks made by President Donald Trump after he
00:05told her to smile while she questioned him about victims connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
00:09The exchange occurred Tuesday during a White House appearance when Collins pressed the
00:12president on accountability following the Justice Department's latest release of Epstein-related
00:16documents. Trump interrupted her questioning, calling her the worst reporter and adding that
00:20he had never seen her smile. The comments gained wider attention the following day after Vice
00:25President J.D. Vance discussed the exchange during an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show.
00:29Vance defended the president's response, arguing that members of the media could deliver tough
00:33questions without appearing confrontational. He suggested journalists should project warmth and
00:37noted what he described as inconsistent behavior by the Washington press corps, depending on which
00:41party holds power. Kelly also weighed in, saying she had previously criticized Collins' on-air
00:46demeanor. During the segment she referenced guidance she said former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes once gave
00:51about smiling on camera. Kelly has publicly accused Ailes of sexual harassment, allegations that surfaced
00:56before his resignation from Fox News in 2016. Collins responded to the discussion on CNN's The Source,
01:01stating that her questioning centered on survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and their calls for justice and
01:06transparency. She said the subject matter involved sexual abuse and accountability and did not lend
01:11itself to light-hearted presentation. Epstein survivor Annie Farmer later joined the program and thanked
01:15Collins for pursuing the issue publicly. Farmer said survivors remain frustrated with the Department of Justice's
01:20handling of the case, pointing to the recent release of three million heavily redacted documents. She noted that the
01:25release included an unredacted list labeled as an Epstein victim list and questioned why additional
01:30investigative steps have not followed. Farmer also referenced ongoing inquiries abroad, including
01:35reviews in the United Kingdom involving figures linked to Epstein, and questioned why similar scrutiny
01:39has not occurred domestically. She said survivors are concerned that individuals in positions of power
01:43continue to avoid accountability. The Department of Justice has stated that the document release reflects
01:48all material deemed relevant to the investigation. Survivors and advocates dispute that assessment,
01:52saying key questions remain unanswered. Follow for continued updates on accountability,
01:57transparency, and developments in the Epstein case.
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