President Donald Trump abruptly ended a White House press conference on Monday after CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins questioned him about the ongoing U.S. bombing campaign in Iran, accusing the network of spreading «fake news» and labeling its coverage as «treasonous.» The exchange, which took place in the Oval Office, marked a sharp escalation in tensions between the president and the press as the administration intensifies military operations in the Middle East.
Collins asked Trump whether the sustained bombing of Iran, which he ordered to enforce a new blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, had become «the new normal for the American people.» Trump responded by attacking CNN, saying, «All they have is fake news because the fake news would rather see us lose the war.» When Collins interjected that Trump had previously argued Iran could not possess ballistic missiles, the president continued his criticism, adding, «Which is really treasonous in a certain way. So we're doing another very major attack tonight.»
After his remarks, Trump signaled to aides to end the press conference, and reporters were quickly escorted out of the room. The incident was captured on video and widely shared on social media, drawing attention to the president's combative relationship with the press amid a significant military escalation.
The United States has been conducting airstrikes against Iran for months, with Trump ordering a new blockade in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this year. The administration has argued that the strikes are necessary to counter Iranian threats to shipping and regional stability, but critics have raised concerns about the lack of congressional authorization and the potential for a broader conflict. The president's announcement of another «very major attack» came without prior public warning, underscoring the administration's reliance on executive action in military matters.
Collins, a veteran White House correspondent, has frequently pressed the administration on its policies, including the Iran campaign. Her questioning on Monday reflected growing unease among some lawmakers and analysts about the scope and duration of the bombing, which has continued without a clear endgame. The White House has not provided detailed briefings on the targets or the number of casualties, leading to accusations of a lack of transparency.
The abrupt end to the press conference is not unprecedented for Trump, who has previously walked out of interviews and briefings when faced with tough questions. However, the context of an active military campaign added weight to the exchange, as the president's comments suggested a determination to escalate operations despite domestic and international criticism.
In a separate incident on Monday, a fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Maine drew attention to federal enforcement actions. Senator Angus King of Maine initially reported that the victim was the target of an arrest warrant, but later corrected the statement after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin provided updated information. King said the victim was not the intended target, and he called for a «full, transparent and open investigation» into the shooting, which occurred in Biddeford. The FBI is leading the probe, and King emphasized the need for clarity on whether the use of deadly force was justified.
The Maine incident, while unrelated to the Iran bombing, highlighted broader concerns about federal operations and accountability. King noted that body cameras were not activated during the ICE operation, complicating efforts to determine what happened. He said he intends to monitor the investigation closely, echoing a «trust but verify» approach.
As the Trump administration continues its military campaign in Iran and faces scrutiny over domestic enforcement actions, the press conference confrontation underscored the president's willingness to challenge media narratives. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for further details on the planned attack or the status of the Iran operations.
