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Trump Attacks CNN Reporter, Harvard Deal Falters, Medal of Honor Approved, Zoo Celebrates Elephant Birth, and Catholic School Vandalized
President Trump criticized CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins in the Oval Office on Tuesday, while a potential deal between Harvard University and the White House fell into doubt after the president unleashed a series of social media posts. Meanwhile, the White House approved the Medal of Honor for fallen Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, the Smithsonian's National Zoo celebrated the birth of an Asian elephant calf, and leaders of a Catholic school in California urged prayer after the school was desecrated.
Trump, sitting at the Resolute Desk, told Collins she was the "worst reporter" and scolded her for not smiling while she attempted to ask about the latest release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, according to The New York Times. "She’s a young woman – I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile," Trump said, adding, "I’ve known you for 10 years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face." Collins noted she was asking about Epstein's sexual assault victims, but Trump interrupted, saying, "You know why you’re not smiling? Because you know you’re not telling the truth." The New York Times noted that Trump has often singled out female journalists for attacks and insults.
Separately, a potential agreement between Harvard University and the White House was thrown into chaos after Trump attacked the Ivy League school in late-night social media posts, The New York Times reported. Just last week, Trump had privately told negotiators he was willing to drop his demand for a $200 million payment from Harvard to the government if that would secure an agreement to end his pressure campaign against the university, which he views as hostile to conservatives and his presidency. However, after a report from The New York Times about the change of heart, Trump's Truth Social posts at 11:20 p.m. on Monday and again on Tuesday at 12:11 a.m. and 7:56 a.m. made clear he had lost interest, at least for now, in such a compromise.
In other news, the White House approved the Medal of Honor for fallen Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a Staten Island, New York, native who died in Afghanistan in 2013 while shielding an allied soldier, according to Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., who announced the decision in a statement posted to social media, Fox News reported. The decision follows years of advocacy from veterans' groups, elected officials, and the Staten Island community to formally recognize Ollis's actions.
The Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., welcomed a baby Asian elephant early Monday morning, marking the zoo's first elephant birth in nearly 25 years, Fox News reported. The 308-pound, 38.5-inch calf arrived at 1:15 a.m. inside the zoo's Elephant Trails exhibit, with animal care and veterinary staff monitoring the birth.
Finally, the leader of Holy Innocents Catholic School in Long Beach, California, which was desecrated after a break-in, is urging the community to "make many acts of reparation for this offense against God and Our Lady," Fox News reported. Images of the destruction, discovered Monday morning, show smashed statues, destroyed images of Mary and other religious figures, and a photograph of the pope knocked to the floor.
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