Trump Targets CNN’s Kaitlan Collins During White House Correspondents’ Dinner Speech
Trump Targets CNN’s Kaitlan Collins During White House Correspondents’ Dinner Speech
President Donald Trump drew criticism after making personal remarks about CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins during his speech at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where Collins had been recognized for her journalism.
Trump began by referencing Collins’ award, joking that it was based on reporting about him.
“I want to personally congratulate CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on receiving her award. It was all about me. It was fake, she shouldn’t get the award, it was fake,” Trump said.
He then shifted his focus to Collins personally, commenting on her appearance and telling her she should smile.
“But she’s a young, attractive woman. She never smiles. I said, ‘Kaitlan, do you ever smile? Smile!’ You’re at CNN fake news. You should be a happy person. So smile, Kaitlan! Just smile.”
Trump also made a joke comparing Collins to transgender actress and social media personality Dylan Mulvaney, saying he initially thought Collins had landed “a major new sponsorship” before realizing “it wasn’t her on the Bud Light can.” According to attendees, the remark was met with little to no audience reaction.
Collins attended the event to accept an award from the White House Correspondents’ Association for her reporting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s high-profile Oval Office meeting with Trump. Rather than focusing on her journalistic achievements, she became one of the primary subjects of the president’s remarks.
After the dinner, Collins was approached by reporters seeking her reaction to Trump’s comments. She declined to comment and left the event without addressing the remarks publicly.
The exchange is the latest in a long-running and often contentious relationship between Trump and Collins. Throughout his political career, Trump has repeatedly challenged Collins during press conferences and public events, while Collins has continued to question the administration on a range of issues.
The incident has sparked renewed debate over the relationship between elected officials and the press, with supporters of Trump viewing his comments as characteristic political humor, while critics argue that personal attacks on journalists undermine respect for a free and independent media.
