CNN’s Kaitlan Collins appeared to respond to President Donald Trump’s criticism at the rescheduled White House Correspondents Dinner. On Saturday, July 25, Collins, 34, shared a quote from former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt on her Instagram Story: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Her reaction came shortly after Trump, 80, ridiculed her in a speech at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C., on Friday, July 24.
Trump’s remarks included a reference to Collins being recognized at the event for her outstanding coverage of his controversial Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He stated, “I want to personally congratulate CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on receiving her award. It was all about me. It’s a fake — she shouldn’t get the award, it was a fake,” adding that he had congratulated her regardless.
Trump’s comments included a comparison of Collins to trans actress and activist Dylan Mulvaney, whose 2023 Bud Light campaign faced backlash from right-wing figures. Trump’s comments were criticized as transphobic. He remarked that Collins, “a young, attractive woman,” never smiles, and encouraged her to do so, stating, “You have a nice position, you’re at CNN fake news, you should be a happy person. So smile, Kaitlan, just smile.” He joked about thinking Collins had secured a major sponsorship but realizing it was Mulvaney on the Bud Light can.
Following Trump’s remarks, Mulvaney, 29, appeared to respond by re-sharing Collins’ Eleanor Roosevelt quote on her Instagram Story.
CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins Getty Images/Mandel NGAN / AFP
In response, CNN released a statement supporting Collins, praising her as an “exceptional, trusted journalist” acknowledged for her in-depth reporting and context provided to global audiences. The network highlighted her steadfast reporting from the White House and in the field, emphasizing their full support for her.
The White House Correspondents Dinner was relocated to the Waldorf Astoria hotel after an incident involving gunfire outside the Washington Hilton’s main ballroom on April 25. As a precaution, Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other officials were evacuated. Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect, was apprehended by the Secret Service and charged with attempting to assassinate the President, among other federal charges. Allen, 31, pleaded not guilty during a hearing in Washington, D.C., on May 11.
