Jimmy Kimmel criticized President Donald Trump over a White House decision to bar reporters from CNN, MSNBC and Politico, and he mocked the president’s heated response to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins at the U.N. The press restrictions prompted a coordinated boycott by several networks and a joint federal lawsuit by the affected outlets. A coalition of major news organizations and the Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the move as a threat to press freedom.
Kimmel Lampoons Trump’s Reaction To CNN’s Kaitlan Collins After White House Press Ban
Donald Trump lashes out at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins at the UN. / CNN
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel used his Tuesday night show to criticize President Donald Trump’s decision to restrict access for several news organizations and to mock the president’s visible anger when he encountered CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins at the United Nations General Assembly.
What Happened
Last week, the White House announced unprecedented limits on press access, barring reporters from CNN, MSNBC and Politico from certain White House activities. The move sparked immediate concerns about press freedom and prompted several news organizations to respond strongly.
Confrontation At The U.N.
As Trump and First Lady Melania Trump entered the U.N. headquarters in New York, the president reacted sharply when he saw Collins, who held U.N. accreditation. According to accounts, he told her,
“There is no defense for why the White House would ban three reputable news organizations because he doesn’t like what they have to say,
"You should not be here covering me. You said you weren't going to cover me. You shouldn't be covering."
Kimmel described Collins’ presence as “a very unwelcome surprise” for the president and used the exchange as fodder for his monologue.
Kimmel’s Response
On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host mocked the president’s reaction and criticized the broader decision to restrict press access. Kimmel called the ban "nonsensical, unconstitutional, knee-jerk reactions" and suggested the blackout would only inflame the president further because "there's nothing this man loves more than being on television."
He added a biting joke about the moment that underscored his mocking tone.
A solidarity sign adding CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO hangs outside the Associated Press booth at the White House grounds after President Donald Trump banned the three major news outlets from the White House. / Kevin Lamarque / REUTERS
News Outlets’ Reaction And Legal Action
In solidarity, several networks kept their cameras off the president, including a notable boycott by the television press pool that regularly covers the White House — a move that even included Fox News in the protest. CNN, MSNBC and Politico have since filed a joint federal lawsuit challenging the administration’s decision. The suit names President Donald Trump along with White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, Secret Service Director Sean Curran and Chief of Staff Susan Wiles.
Press Freedom Groups And Industry Response
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the ban as a dangerous precedent, warning against allowing the president to decide who may report on the government. A broad coalition of major outlets, including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and the Financial Times, joined the statement defending press freedom.
"No news organization should be punished by the government for exercising its right to report," the coalition said.
On Anderson Cooper 360°, Kaitlan Collins pushed back against the ban, saying, "The president is the one who's trying to dictate how we cover him. And of course, it is still our job to do so."
This incident and the resulting boycott and lawsuit have intensified debate about presidential temperament, media access and the boundaries of press freedom in the United States.
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