Karoline Leavitt Praised for Sticking Up for CNN Anchor Kaitlan Collins During Saudi Arabia Trip
Despite their public rivalry, CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins praised White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt for coming to her defense during a recent trip to Saudi Arabia, as reported by RadarOnline.com.
During an episode of Heather McMahan’s Absolutely Not podcast released on February 11, Collins, 33, shared the story of Leavitt, 28, standing up for her in a challenging situation.
Collins recounted a moment on a trip to Saudi Arabia with the White House press pool when the kingdom’s Royal Guard almost prevented her from doing her job. She had shouted a question to President Trump, who didn’t respond, as is customary in such situations. The Royal Guard, unaccustomed to this behavior from the media due to the lack of a free press in Saudi Arabia, attempted to bar Collins from attending the next event.
Refusing to back down, Collins asserted her right to be there as a member of the U.S. press. It was then that Leavitt intervened on her behalf, insisting that Collins be allowed to join the rest of the U.S. press corps at the event.
Despite their past disagreements, including Leavitt’s criticism of CNN and Collins’ reporting, the incident in Saudi Arabia showcased a moment of solidarity between the two women. Collins acknowledged the inherent tension between journalists and press secretaries, given their roles in shaping and reporting the news.
While conflicts may arise, Collins emphasized the importance of maintaining a professional relationship that allows for both sides to fulfill their respective duties.
