Cory Booker publicly rebuked Donald Trump after the former president told CNN's Kaitlan Collins she "shouldn't be here" while covering him at the United Nations. Collins, who was credentialed by the U.N. but has faced White House restrictions, said Trump seemed to be trying to dictate media coverage. Trump recently included CNN, MSNBC and Politico in a media ban; all three have filed First Amendment lawsuits. Booker praised cross‑media solidarity and framed the episode as a threat to press freedom.
Sen. Cory Booker Condemns Trump’s Confrontation With Kaitlan Collins at the U.N.; Press Freedom Defended
Donald Trump lashes out at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins at the UN. / CNN
Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey sharply criticized former President Donald Trump for his terse exchange with CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins during a press moment at the United Nations in New York.
Cory Booker called out Donald Trump's treatment of Kaitlan Collins during their interview. / CNN
What Happened
As Trump approached the assembled press, Collins asked about a poll showing a majority of Americans doubt he is prevailing in the conflict with Iran. Rather than answer, Trump told Collins, "I'm surprised CNN is here covering me — you shouldn't be here," then reiterated, "You should not be here covering me. You said you weren't going to cover me." He then addressed other reporters, saying, "We're making a lot of progress, our country is doing really, really well," and walked away with his wife, Melania.
Donald Trump lashes out at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins at the UN. / Associated Press
Media Ban and Legal Response
Earlier that week, Trump announced a media ban that named CNN, MSNBC and Politico; all three organizations subsequently filed lawsuits alleging the bans violate the First Amendment. Collins — credentialed to cover the U.N. but blocked by the White House from certain presidential events — described the encounter on Anderson Cooper 360°, saying the president appeared to be trying to dictate how journalists cover him.
A solidarity sign hangs outside the Associated Press booth at the White House grounds. / Kevin Lamarque / REUTERS
Booker’s Reaction
Collins invited Senator Booker onto her program The Source. Booker condemned Trump's conduct directly:
"The way the president disrespected you should outrage all Americans," he said. He praised the solidarity shown across outlets — from right-leaning to left-leaning organizations — that refused to cover Trump in protest of the bans.
Booker framed the episode as an attack on "this precious, sacred part of our First Amendment" and called the cross-media support a unifying defense of press freedom.
Kaitlan Collins with Donald Trump in the White House. / screen grab
Collins’ Perspective and Background
Collins thanked colleagues for their solidarity and warned that if such treatment can happen to CNN, it could happen to any news outlet. The reporter has been publicly criticized by Trump before: in February he called her "the worst reporter" during an exchange about the Epstein files, and at the White House Correspondents' Dinner he told her to "smile" while calling CNN "fake news."
The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.
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