President Trump repeated personal attacks against CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins on Truth Social, labeling her a "SLEAZEBAG" and accusing her and certain networks of a "TRUMP addiction" after banning CNN, Politico and MSNBC from the White House. The bans prompted the outlets to file a legal challenge and led other networks to boycott Monday's press pool. Trump later confronted Collins at the U.N. General Assembly, where she said CNN was authorized to cover the event. The situation remains fluid.
Trump Renewed Attack On CNN's Kaitlan Collins, Calls Her a "Sleazebag" After White House Media Ban
Left: President Donald Trump speaking in New York on Monday. Right: Kaitlan Collins at a premiere in New York in 2024.
President Donald Trump escalated his public attacks on CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday, calling her a "SLEAZEBAG" and accusing her and other outlets of a "TRUMP addiction" after he barred CNN, Politico and MSNBC from the White House.
Trump made the remarks on his platform Truth Social and later confronted Collins in person at the United Nations General Assembly, questioning why she was in the press area. Collins replied that the U.N. had authorized CNN to cover the event.
What He Said
"All of the SLEAZEBAGS, like Third Rate 'Reporter,' Kaitlan Collins, of Fake News CNN, a truly unhappy person, said they weren't going to be covering me. Then why were they ranting and raving like Lunatics, in the Press Area, at the United Nations?"
"Why was she there? She's got a 'TRUMP' addiction, and so does CNN and MSDNC. They're all sick, treasonous, and demented!"
In the post, Trump also referenced the lawsuit filed by the three outlets over the White House ban, claiming the case had been assigned to a "totally disloyal Judge" and calling that "good news."
Background
Earlier this week, the White House announced that CNN, Politico and MSNBC would be barred from the premises. The outlets promptly filed a legal challenge arguing the ban was unlawful, and other major networks staged a one-day boycott of White House press pool coverage in solidarity.
The confrontation between Trump and Collins at the U.N. came after those developments and underscores mounting tensions between the White House and several mainstream news organizations. CNN has defended its reporters' presence at international events when they are credentialed by host organizations such as the United Nations.
Note: This is a developing story. Further updates will be posted as more information becomes available.
Photo captions: Left — President Donald Trump speaking in New York on Monday. Right — Kaitlan Collins at a New York premiere in 2024.
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