Kaitlan Collins Gives Trump The Middle Finger In The Chicest Way On Colbert

The CNN reporter responded to Trump's insults with a subtle yet powerful gesture.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Kaitlan Collins appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" following a viral exchange where President Trump insulted her, calling her "the worst reporter" and saying he had never seen her smile. On Colbert's show, Collins responded by flashing a bright smile at the audience, subtly giving Trump the middle finger in a chic way.

Why it matters

Collins' appearance on Colbert's show highlighted Trump's long-running feud with the CNN reporter, who he has repeatedly attacked and insulted. Her poised response on national television demonstrated her refusal to be cowed by Trump's insults and her ability to turn his words against him in a clever, dignified manner.

The details

During a press conference earlier in the month, Trump had berated Collins, cutting her off when she tried to ask about the Epstein files and calling her "the worst reporter" whose network "has no ratings." He also made the inappropriate comment that he had never seen her smile. On Colbert's show, Collins responded by flashing a wide, glowing smile at the audience, subtly giving Trump the middle finger in a classy way. She told Colbert that she wasn't surprised by Trump's attack, as he has called her many names before, and that his comment about her smiling was especially inappropriate given the serious nature of her question.

  • On February 3, Trump insulted Collins during a press conference.
  • A couple of weeks later, Collins appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" to discuss the incident.

The players

Kaitlan Collins

A CNN reporter who has frequently clashed with former President Donald Trump.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who has repeatedly attacked and insulted Kaitlan Collins.

Stephen Colbert

The host of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" where Kaitlan Collins appeared to discuss her exchange with Trump.

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The takeaway

Kaitlan Collins' poised response on Colbert's show demonstrated her refusal to be intimidated by Trump's insults and her ability to turn his words against him in a clever, dignified manner. Her subtle yet powerful gesture highlighted the ongoing feud between the CNN reporter and the former president, and reinforced Collins' reputation as a tenacious and resilient journalist.