A former aide to the US president said Trump’s “misogynistic” treatment of Kaitlan Collins stemmed from fear – but there are also political factors at play amid a mega media merger.

The president has gone after Collins in the past

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleDonald Trump criticized CNN reporter Kaitlan…

'Young, Beautiful Woman, Never Smiles': Trump's sharp exchange with CNN Correspondent

Sarah Matthews, who served as Trump’s White House deputy press secretary during his first administration, said the president’s remarks were ‘disgusting’

Just after answering a question about the “anti-weaponization fund,\

"I wish that this wasn't normalized, and that we weren't desensitized to this type of behavior from the president," Sarah Matthews said.

"I wish that this wasn't normalized, and that we weren't desensitized to this type of behavior from the president," Sarah Matthews said.

“What's notable is that it doesn't address the substance of what the woman is saying."

The president raged at the CNN journalist during an Oval Office briefing on Wednesday, claiming he saw "hatred in her eyes."

The US president singled out Kaitlan Collins in the Oval Office, saying she had "hatred in her eyes".

A former aide to the US president said Trump’s “misogynistic” treatment of Kaitlan Collins stemmed from fear – but there are also political factors at play amid a mega media…