Donald Trump mocked CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins during a speech at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on July 24, 2023 [4].
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between the former president and the press, specifically his tendency to target journalists who provide critical coverage.
The event in Washington, D.C., was attended by nearly 700 journalists and government officials [1]. During his address, Trump directed his attention toward Collins, who was 34 at the time of the event [3]. He said, "I want to personally congratulate CNN's Kaitlan Collins on receiving her award" [1].
Trump then targeted the journalist's demeanor, saying, "She never smiles" [2]. He continued the roast by comparing Collins to Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer and actress [2].
Reports indicate that Trump's comments were met with uncomfortable silence from the audience [3]. The former president, who was 80 years old during the dinner [2], used the platform to launch a personal jab at the anchor, a move consistent with his history of attacking media figures.
Collins has frequently been a point of contention for Trump due to her role at CNN. The comparison to Mulvaney added a layer of social commentary to the personal attack, though the specific terminology used varied across reports, with some describing Mulvaney as an actress and others as an influencer [2].
“"She never smiles."”
This interaction underscores the adversarial relationship between Donald Trump and mainstream media outlets. By using a high-profile event like the White House Correspondents' Dinner to personalize attacks, Trump reinforces a rhetorical strategy that seeks to delegitimize journalists through social and physical critiques rather than engaging with their reporting.
