Donald Trump’s escalating war with CNN followed him all the way to the United Nations on Tuesday — where he suddenly found himself face-to-face with one of the network’s most recognizable reporters.
Kaitlan Collins was among the journalists waiting as Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the United Nations headquarters in New York ahead of his address to the General Assembly.
Trump initially told reporters that it was an honor to be there.
Then he spotted CNN.
“I’m surprised that CNN is here covering me,” Trump said.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
Collins immediately answered from the press pack.
“The United Nations allowed us in, sir,” she said.
Trump continued.
“You should not be here covering me,” he told her. “You said you weren’t going to cover me. You shouldn’t be covering me.”
But Collins wasn’t going anywhere.
She continued trying to question the president as Trump stood before the assembled reporters.
The encounter was particularly striking because it came only days after Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would no longer be allowed access to the White House.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico have since challenged the move in court, arguing that the administration discriminated against the organizations because of their coverage.
The dispute has also spread far beyond the three outlets.
The major television networks that participate in the White House television pool — including ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Fox News — declined to replace CNN for its scheduled pool assignment Monday.
But the United Nations presented Trump with a very different situation.
CNN’s White House access restrictions did not prevent Collins from being credentialed to cover events at the UN — which produced Tuesday morning’s remarkable confrontation.
Trump could keep CNN away from the White House.
He couldn’t keep Kaitlan Collins from showing up to cover him somewhere else.
And when she did, the cameras were rolling.
About the Author
Why would anyone want talk to or question a fool and a criminal like Trump anyway? If you give Trump any attention at all (except to criticize him before the world and not to his face) you are just giving him power. Instead focus your attention on Allah Most Merciful and Most Compassionate. Allah can help you more than a follower of Satan can. Amen!?