Trump blamed Collins and CNN for constantly coming back to the same things, adding that it was precisely for this reason that nobody listened to them anymore and that they had lost all credibility.
The CNN journalist
As Trump was answering questions from journalists in the oval office, during the visit of the president of El Salvador, he lashed out at CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins.
Decisions made
Collins was seeking clear explanations about the decisions made regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man mistakenly deported by the Trump administration to a prison in El Salvador.
By mistake
As the journalist was questioning Trump about his intention to help return the man that his administration admitted to having deported to Salvador by mistake, he first delegated the response to Pam Bondi. Bondi claimed that Garcia was part of a criminal gang, a statement contradicted by several sources. Trump then complimented her on her good work.
Stephen Miller
Then, interrupting Kaitlan Collins in the middle of a question, he asked Stephen Miller to respond to the one from CNN, justifying his action by stating that «They always ask with a slant because they are slanted because they don’t know what’s happening», adding that it was precisely for this reason that nobody listened to them anymore.
A few days earlier
Collins rephrased her question by recalling that Trump said, on Air Force One, that he would comply with a Supreme Court decision ordering the return of the Garcia, citing the words by Trump a few days earlier: «If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back, I would do that, I respect the Supreme Court».
Wonderful
Rather than answering the question, Trump mocked Kaitlan Collins by throwing at her: «Why don’t you just say isn’t it wonderful that we’re keeping criminals out of our country, why can’t you just say that?»
Collins and CNN
Trump then blamed Collins and CNN for constantly «going over the same things».
Smuggle a 'criminal'
The exchange escalated when Trump invited Stephen Miller to respond to the question addressed to the president of El Salvador. The latter had already reacted by asking the CNN journalist if, on the contrary, she would expect him to smuggle a 'criminal' into the United States, a direct allusion to Garcia, calling the question «preposterous». The question was about possible assistance for the return of the migrant deported by mistake.
A Salvadoran citizen
Miller argued that Garcia was a Salvadoran citizen and called it arrogant that a U.S. media outlet would suggest how El Salvador should handle its own citizens.
«Fake news»
This is not the only attack that CNN and Kaitlan Collins have endured during the visit of the Salvadoran president. While he was asking a question to Donald Trump, wondering about the media silence, Trump retorted by pointing to the CNN journalist, stating that it was because the media was «fake news» like CNN and that they did not like to broadcast good news, adding: «I think they hate our country».
Dana Bash from CNN
Back in the studio, Dana Bash from CNN was keen to set the record straight in the face of Trump's shocking statement, clarifying that it should go without saying, but it needed to be said clearly: «We heard President Trump say in the Oval Office that CNN hates our country. CNN does not hate our country». Dana Bash concluded on the subject by recalling that she had been working for CNN for 32 years, and interpreting Trump's words as a strategy, stating: «I see a rhetorical device in him trying to say such a thing».