President Donald Trump is ramping up his attacks on one of his favorite media targets, CNN's Kaitlan Collins.
In a new interview with Time published Thursday, the president unloaded on the press over what he described as unfair treatment, singling out Collins by name.
Trump has repeatedly gone after Collins since his July broadside against her at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
"I never get fair press," Trump said. "Doesn't have to be good. All it has to be is fair."
The president then turned his fire directly on the CNN anchor.
"So at a certain point, you say, 'What's the purpose of like this crazy Kaitlan Collins?'" Trump said. "She's a very average person. She's the most unhappy young person I've ever seen."
Trump argued that no matter what he accomplishes, the media will only portray him negatively.
"If I did something spectacular by any standard, and they would write about it, they will only write badly," he said.
The president also defended his decision to ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.
That ban was recently paused by a federal judge.
Trump did not hold back in his criticism of the outlets.
"They are just horrible people, and they're so bad," Trump said.
The president insisted he supports press freedom but draws a line at what he calls fake news.
"So I believe in a free press. I believe in an honest press, but I don't believe in fake news," he said.
Trump also hinted that another major outlet could be the next to find itself shut out of the White House.
The president took aim at The New York Times over its coverage of Iran.
"The New York Times keeps writing about how well [Iran is] doing," Trump said. "They have no money. They have no value of money. They have nothing going, and just fake news, fake news, and maybe they'll be next."
The remarks mark the latest chapter in the president's long-running battle with the press.
Trump's comments on Collins came as part of a broader complaint about how he is covered by the media. The president said he does not need the press to be positive, only fair, and argued that he does not receive even that.
His criticism of Collins builds on the attacks he has leveled against her since the White House Correspondents' Dinner in July. In the Time interview, he described her as "very average" and "the most unhappy young person" he has ever seen.
The president's defense of the White House ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico comes after a federal judge put the ban on hold. Trump made clear he still views those outlets harshly, calling the people behind them "horrible."
Trump framed his position as a defense of honest journalism, saying he supports a free and honest press while rejecting what he considers fake news.
His suggestion that The New York Times "maybe" could be next raises the possibility that the president may seek to expand the list of outlets barred from the White House.
For now, Trump's message to the media is clear: he believes he is not being treated fairly, and he is willing to say so.
