CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Pushes Back After Trump Attacks Her Over Ballroom Question
CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins is responding to former President Donald Trump’s social media remark labeling her “stupid and nasty”. The exchange has renewed attention to Trump’s repeated attacks on journalists and the mounting tension between the former president and major news outlets.
Collins questioned Trump on other subjects last week, not the White House ballroom, as he stated online. Trump accused Collins on Truth Social of asking why his new White House ballroom project was costing more than expected. He rationalized the price increase in his post by citing size and luxury finishing.
Collins later said she never asked Trump about ballroom building expenses. She said the incident he was referring to occurred during a red-carpet interview when she questioned him about accepting a new international peace award while threatening military action against Venezuela and approving raids on drug-smuggling vessels.
Collins stated on Instagram that she was asking him to reconcile a peace honor with recent strong foreign policy choices regarding Venezuela. Her Instagram story expired, but media coverage spread it.
In that brief conversation, Trump claimed he had “settled multiple wars” and “saved millions of lives.” Collins kept pressing him on the discrepancy between his comments and international actions.
After Trump’s attack, other journalists, including CNN’s Jake Tapper, defended Collins. He noted that Trump had misspelled her name in the post and that Collins’ concerns were pertinent to foreign policy.
Trump has had many press conflicts, notably with female journalists. Collins was previously barred from White House events under Trump for asking unpopular questions, making this current clash a similar trend.
The debate comes as Trump campaigns and appears frequently in the media. Collins, who anchors a CNN prime-time show, has reported on Trump objectively despite personal attacks.
Trump’s ballroom project, which he mislinked to Collins, has also garnered attention owing to rising building costs and transparency concerns. Collins said this topic was not covered in her recent reporting or questioning.
The current conflict raises questions about journalistic freedom, political rhetoric, and how public leaders handle tough inquiries. Collins’ six-word response, clarifying her inquiry was about Venezuela, countered Trump’s narrative and centered the conversation on facts rather than insults.
The exchange illustrates the tricky balance journalists must strike when reporting high-profile political officials who often criticize the press. Collins has maintained her commitment to honest reporting and holding officials accountable through truthful inquiry.
Sources
CNN reports
Statements from Kaitlan Collins and Donald Trump
Public commentary from CNN journalists
