Donald Trump Criticizes CNN’s Kaitlan Collins After She Questions Costs of White House Ballroom Project

CNN Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins became the focus of a recent Truth Social post from President Donald Trump after she asked about the cost of the administration’s new White House ballroom project.

In the Dec. 6 post, Trump referred to Collins as “stupid and nasty” while responding to her inquiry about why the ballroom’s projected expenses had increased since the project was first announced in 2023. In the message, Trump misspelled Collins’ name but stated that the higher cost was due to the ballroom being expanded to twice its original size and upgraded with higher-end finishes. He also noted structural changes, including an increased column span for viewing purposes.

Trump reiterated in the post that the project — originally estimated at $200 million and now expected to cost around $300 million — is “under budget and ahead of schedule,” and that it is being funded entirely through private donations, including contributions from himself. Some reports, however, have questioned those statements. The East Wing was demolished in October to make way for the new construction, a decision that has prompted concern from some lawmakers regarding oversight and historical preservation.

In response to Trump’s post, Collins reshared it on Instagram Stories, writing, “Technically my question was about Venezuela.”

The exchange follows other recent instances in which the president has criticized female journalists. On Thanksgiving, Trump called CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes “stupid” during a press interaction at Mar-a-Lago after she questioned him about vetting procedures for an Afghan national accused in a Washington, D.C. shooting.

A day earlier, Trump posted online about New York Times reporter Katie Rogers, calling her “ugly, both inside and out” after the paper published an article examining how his age has influenced his schedule during his current term.

Two weeks before that, Trump sharply interrupted Bloomberg’s Catherine Lucey when she asked about the Epstein emails, telling her “Quiet. Quiet, Piggy.” Collins defended Lucey at the time, posting on X that the reporter “does a great job.”