Trump Mocks Kaitlan Collins at White House Correspondents' Dinner

Donald Trump targeted CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins during the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner on July 24, 2026, at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. The event had been postponed from April following an assassination attempt at the Washington Hilton. While Trump initially appeared cordial toward award winners, his demeanor shifted during his speech as he launched personal attacks against journalists, including Wall Street Journal reporter Josh Dawsey and Collins.

Trump dismissed the Award for Excellence in Presidential News Coverage Under Deadline Pressure given to Collins for her reporting on a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling the honor "fake." He repeatedly criticized Collins' appearance, telling her to smile and comparing her to transgender actress Dylan Mulvaney. Trump claimed he had previously mistaken Mulvaney's Bud Light sponsorship for Collins, adding that the partnership cost the company $35 billion in market cap.

CNN issued a statement defending Collins as an "exceptional, trusted journalist" and stated the network stands by her to the fullest extent. White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang also defended Collins. On Instagram, Collins shared a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt and noted that the evening served as a reminder of why the First Amendment and asking uncomfortable questions to those in power matter.

Throughout the hour-long speech, Trump also insulted figures such as Barack Obama and Ilhan Omar, joked about a third term, and wore a "Trump 2028" cap. The event included awards for Secret Service agent Victor Gonzales and Washington Hilton staff for their actions during the April shooting.