Donald Trump criticized CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins in a Truth Social post over the weekend, calling her “stupid and nasty” after she questioned the cost of his planned White House ballroom. The post also included a misspelling of Collins’ name, highlighting a recurring pattern in Trump’s interactions with female journalists.

White House Ballroom Project Sparks Debate

Trump, 79, posted on Saturday, December 6, singling out Collins, 33, who serves as CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent and anchors The Source with Kaitlan Collins. According to the former president, Collins asked why the new ballroom was costing more than initially expected.

In the 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.” He added that the increase was due to the project being “double the size,” featuring higher-quality finishes, and including wider columns for better viewing.

The renovation, first announced in July, has become a point of contention. Trump insisted the project is “under budget and ahead of schedule,” despite reports indicating the cost has risen from an initial $200 million estimate to around $300 million. He claimed in October that the entire cost is being covered by private donations, including a contribution from himself. “It is actually under budget and ahead of schedule, as my jobs always are,” he wrote. “It's just much bigger and more beautiful than originally planned.”

Trump also criticized CNN, calling the network and its leadership “one of the worst in the business” and claiming its ratings are “so low that they’re not even counted or relevant anymore.” He concluded the post with “MAGA.”

The East Wing of the White House was demolished in October to make way for the project, a move that has drawn criticism from lawmakers concerned about historic preservation and project oversight.

Tensions With Reporters Continue

Trump’s confrontation with Collins follows a series of clashes with journalists in recent weeks. At Mar-a-Lago during the holiday, he became frustrated when CBS News White House correspondent Nancy Cordes questioned him about the vetting of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in a Washington, D.C., shooting that killed one National Guard member and injured another. Lakanwal was among hundreds of Afghans admitted to the U.S. under the Biden administration’s 2021 Operation Allies Welcome program, which accompanied the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul.

Cordes asked, “Your DOJ inspector general just reported this year that these Afghans were thoroughly vetted by DHS and the FBI, so why do you blame the Biden administration?” Trump replied sharply, “Because they let ’em in. Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?” He added, “Because they came in on a plane along with thousands of others who shouldn’t be here, and you’re only asking questions because you’re a stupid person.”

The previous day, Trump also targeted The New York Times reporter Katie Rogers on social media, calling her “ugly, both inside and out” after a report examined how his age appears to affect his schedule during his second term.

Two weeks earlier, he silenced Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey after she asked whether the Epstein emails contained any incriminating information, pointing at her and saying, “Quiet. Quiet, Piggy.” Collins later defended Lucey on X, praising her work and writing that she does “a great job.”

Context and Reactions

Experts say Trump’s attacks on female reporters are part of a broader pattern of targeting journalists who question his policies or personal decisions. According to media analyst Dr. Sandra Levine, “This behavior reflects an ongoing effort to discredit reporters who challenge him. It also highlights the tension between public officials and the press in covering controversial projects and sensitive topics.”

The White House ballroom project itself has been criticized for both its cost and historic impact. Architectural historian James Rivers told Punch, “Demolishing the East Wing for a private ballroom raises questions about the balance between preservation and modernization. Lawmakers and the public are rightly asking for more transparency.”