On Friday, Kaitlan Collins addressed President Trump’s announcement that CNN, MS NOW, and Politico would be shut out of the White House.
Trump shared the decision on Truth Social and framed it as overdue. “I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN,” he wrote, adding that outlets “shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States.” He also hinted that more outlets could be added, warning that “Other Fake News Media Outlets” could follow.
Collins did not post a personal message in response. She chose a different route and shared Trump’s own words from an exchange with reporters. “‘It’s all been a victory,’ Trump says of his presidency while lamenting a lack of positive coverage when asked why he says he’s banning several outlets, including CNN, from the White House,” she wrote.
“It’s all been a victory,” Trump says of his presidency while lamenting a lack of positive coverage when asked why he says he’s banning several outlets, including CNN, from the White House.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) September 18, 2026
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She followed that up on Instagram with screenshots, starting with a CNN headline confirming the decision, then the network’s full statement. “CNN stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting,” it read. “We have a right under the U.S. Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government.”
Collins and Trump have clashed before, more than once. During one exchange, he called her “stupid and nasty” after she questioned him about plans for a White House ballroom. On camera another time, he remarked that “she never smiles,” adding, “someday I’ll see her smile.”
Support for Collins appeared quickly under her post. “Love you Kaitlan! Sorry you have to deal with trump tantrums and the man-babies in his administration,” one person wrote.
@kaitlancollins I can believe that he has the balls to do that because of fake news and the courts will be on this and he has some nerve to do this it’s not over shame on him well all I can say I hope I will see your lovely face on Monday okay love you kaitlan….
— Paul gibson (@Paulgibsonsrt9) September 19, 2026
This situation echoes an earlier clash. In 2018, the White House blocked Collins from a Rose Garden event after she asked about Michael Cohen and Vladimir Putin. The White House Correspondents’ Association criticized that move at the time, calling it “wholly inappropriate, wrong-headed, and weak.”
Featured image via X screengrab
