Trump calls Kaitlan Collins ‘an unhappy person’ at Ohio rally as crowd boos CNN anchor
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump broke from his usual economic themes during his rally in Vandalia, Ohio, on Saturday, October 3, to take aim at CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, who was covering the event.
As soon as he mentioned her, the crowd burst into boos, a familiar scene given that Trump and Collins have been at odds for months.
Trump attacks Kaitlan Collins at Ohio rally
Trump, 80, took a dig at Collins, 34, midway through his speech at the rally on Saturday, October 3, claiming that she was "such an unhappy person," who "never smiles" and was a "very unhappy person."
Ohio is NOT happy with Fake News CNN and @kaitlancollins: "She's such an unhappy person!" https://t.co/46ykgCW7Nl
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 4, 2026
In the past, Trump has called Collins “stupid,” “nasty,” “crazy,” and “average.”
In December, he slammed her on Truth Social over her reporting on the White House ballroom renovation.
Then there was the Oval Office moment in February, when Collins asked Trump what he would say to survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. Trump responded, "I don't think I've ever seen you smile," a line he has repeatedly returned to since.
A CNN spokesperson has previously defended Collins publicly, calling her "an exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity."
Trump urges GOP voters ahead of midterms
The president struck an optimistic tone while rallying for the GOP in Vandalia, Ohio, on Saturday evening.
He said Republicans would be just fine as long as conservatives did not stay at home on Election Day.
“They’re in for a big surprise. It’s very simple: You gotta get out and vote. You gotta get out. You gotta vote for these guys,” Trump urged. “If you do that, we’re gonna win and we’re gonna win big.”
.@POTUS: They've tried to smear us, slander us, persecute us, demoralize us. They've attacked me, they've impeached me, they've arrested me, and they even tried to kill me — but with you at my side, we have always PREVAILED. Now, we're on the cusp of beating the communists, socialists, radicalized lunatics, and villains once and for all. We did not come all this way and defeat all those dangers only to watch our country be taken over by SICK people who HATE America.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 4, 2026
Trump then raised his right arm and gestured toward the reporters at the event, whom he accused of working with the “Dumocrats” to rig the election.
Trump also mocked James Talarico, calling him “Talafreako” for being a “vegan all his life” before claiming that he had started attending barbecues “all the time” to cynically appeal to Texans.
“What they don’t show is he goes to the back of the tent every time and he’s throwing up all over the place,” Trump quipped. “He’s not for meat.”
Trump has made a habit of targeting female journalists, particularly those who challenge him on tough issues, and the pattern has not gone unnoticed.
Media advocates and columnists have repeatedly criticized him for crossing the line between normal criticism and personal, gendered attacks.
