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Trump Tells CNN Reporter to Be Quiet in Tense Exchange Over Kim Jong-un
Donald Trump had a tense exchange with CNN’s Kristen Holmes over questions about Kim Jong-un and military exercises with South Korea.
By  Alfredo Suárez
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Trump Tells CNN Reporter to Be Quiet in Tense Exchange Over Kim Jong-un
Foto: EFE

Posted on08/17/26 at 18:15

U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in a tense exchange Monday with CNN White House correspondent Kristen Holmes as the journalist attempted to get details about his outreach to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Trump interrupted Holmes several times, told her to be quiet, and described her as “loud” and “boisterous,” while also accusing her of spreading “fake news.” The confrontation occurred during a question-and-answer session in the Oval Office. The exchange was reported by several U.S. media outlets.

What Was Kristen Holmes Asking Trump?

Holmes was trying to determine whether Kim Jong-un had asked the U.S. president to scale back joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea.

The journalist also pressed the president about his recent contacts with the North Korean leader after Trump said he was seeking to reopen communication with Pyongyang.

When asked why Kim had not responded to his outreach, Trump maintained that he had, although he did not provide details about when the exchange took place or what messages he received. Reuters reported that the White House and North Korea’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately provide additional information.

Trump CNN Reporter Clash Comes as Military Exercises With South Korea Are Reduced

The controversy comes after Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially scale back joint military exercises with South Korea.

The president argued, among other reasons, that the drills send the wrong message to North Korea and highlighted his relationship with Kim Jong-un. He also linked his decision to the cost of the exercises and recent differences with Seoul regarding Iran.

Trump also said his policy would help make the Korean Peninsula a “safer” place.

Trump Seeks to Revive His Relationship With Kim Jong-un

Trump CNN Reporter Clash in Tense Exchange Over Kim Jong-un
Trump CNN Reporter Clash in Tense Exchange Over Kim Jong-un – PHOTO: Shutterstock

During his first term, Trump met with Kim three times in an effort to reach an agreement over North Korea’s nuclear program.

The historic diplomacy between the two leaders ultimately failed to produce a denuclearization agreement, and negotiations stalled. Since then, North Korea has strengthened its military capabilities and deepened its relationships with Russia and China.

Trump is now once again showing interest in resuming direct dialogue with Kim, while his decision to scale back military exercises with South Korea is raising questions about the future of one of the United States’ key military alliances in Asia.

CNN Defends Its Reporter

The confrontation did not end in the Oval Office. Following the incident, the White House posted messages criticizing Holmes on social media, while CNN publicly defended its correspondent and her journalistic work.

The episode adds another chapter to Trump’s contentious relationship with some news organizations, particularly when their reporters press him with questions during encounters with the media.

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