The proposal had already generated bipartisan criticism, with opponents arguing that some individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riot – including people convicted of attacking police officers – could ultimately benefit from the program, People reports.
Instead of directly addressing the issue, Trump – who turns 80 on June 14 – launched into a broad attack on former President Barack Obama and former President Joe Biden, arguing that officials under their administrations had weaponized the DOJ against his supporters and political allies.
Then the conversation took an unexpected turn.
Trump shifts attention to CNN reporter
He then continued with a series of comments about Collins personally.
“A young, beautiful woman. Never smiles. I never see a smile on her face. I see her standing there with hatred in her eyes,” the POTUS said.
“She has hatred because we have borders, because we have a strong military, because we cut our taxes, because we do things that everybody wanted,” he added.
Throughout the exchange, Collins remained silent.
Collins fires back
When Trump finished, she immediately returned to the issue that had prompted the discussion.
“Is the $1.8 billion DOJ fund dead or is it on hold?” she asked.
Trump responded: “It’s, uh, I’d have to ask the lawyers. I don’t know.”
“I thought it was the greatest thing because people like you have abused our people so badly. The fake news,” he said.
Collins then pressed him again, seeking a clearer answer on his position, and Trump replied: “Wait a minute, be quiet.”
As the 47th president attempted to explain the status of the fund, he also referenced Collins’ background.
“You used to be a conservative, she was a conservative from Alabama,” he said.
“I’m still from Alabama, Sir,” Collins replied.
Continued clash with Collins
The exchange is far from the first public clash between Trump and Collins.
Trump has also repeatedly commented on her demeanor.
During a February appearance in the Oval Office, while showing off a baseball cap bearing the slogan “America is back,” he once again focused on Collins when she pushed him for information about redactions in the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files.
“Look, CNN is thrilled,” Trump said. “She never smiles. Someday I’ll see her smile.”
‘Someone is going to break’
“When he told me I should smile more when I was asking him about sexual assault victims. In that moment I was just thinking, ‘you know this is not going to be received well by people,’” Collins said in a June 2 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
‘Quiet, piggy!’
Before responding, Trump pointed at the reporter and fired back: “Quiet! Quiet, piggy!”