President Donald Trump lashes out at CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Truth Social after questions about the rising costs of his 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
President Donald Trump publicly criticized CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins on Saturday, December 6, 2025, continuing his ongoing confrontations with the media and female journalists.
President Trump targeted Collins on Truth Social, calling her “always Stupid and Nasty” in response to her reporting on the rising costs of his 90,000-square-foot ballroom. Collins’ story highlighted that the project, initially projected to cost less, has increased due to an expansion in size and upgrades in interior finishes. A new architect was brought in after reported disagreements with the original design team.
Trump defended the project, claiming it remains under budget and is funded by private donors, including companies such as Apple, Amazon, and Meta. Questions remain, however, regarding what donors contributed and what benefits they may receive in return.
In his post, Trump wrote, “Caitlin Collin’s of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty, asked me why the new Ballroom was costing more money than originally thought one year ago. I said because it is going to be double the size, and the quality of finishes and interiors has been brought to the highest level.” He continued to criticize CNN, describing it as “one of the worst in the business” and dismissing its ratings.
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This latest outburst fits a pattern of Trump’s frequent attacks on the media, particularly female journalists. In recent months, he has publicly disparaged New York Times reporter Katie Rogers over coverage of his health and aging, and Bloomberg correspondent Catherine Lucey during questioning on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
The White House defended the President’s comments in a statement, asserting that Collins had acted in an “inappropriate and unprofessional way toward her colleagues on the plane.” It added: “If you’re going to give it, you have to be able to take it.”
Media analysts say the President’s repeated criticisms are part of a broader strategy to delegitimize news organizations that scrutinize his personal and political affairs. The attacks also raise questions about the boundaries between public accountability, private commentary, and social media rhetoric in U.S. political discourse.
Collins has not publicly responded to Trump’s latest remarks. Meanwhile, the ballroom project continues amid heightened attention from the press and lawmakers, reflecting broader scrutiny of large-scale construction initiatives tied to prominent political figures.
