Kaitlan Collins says MAGA supporters don’t realize Trump ‘seeks validation’ from mainstream media
WASHINGTON, DC: CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins is offering a candid assessment of President Donald Trump's relationship with the media, arguing that many of his most loyal supporters may not realize how much he values attention and approval from the very news outlets they often criticize.
Speaking in an interview published Tuesday, June 9, the veteran CNN correspondent discussed with New York Times reporter Shawn McCreesh Trump's long-running battle with the press, his treatment of reporters, and the dynamic that has defined much of his political career.
Kaitlan Collins says Donald Trump has always known how to play the media game
During the conversation, Collins argued that Trump has spent years cultivating a complicated relationship with the press.
While he frequently attacks mainstream news organizations in public, she suggested he still pays close attention to how those outlets cover him.
Collins described Trump as "very much someone who is one way in front of the cameras and another when he's off the record."
She went on to say that his public criticism of the media often masks a desire for recognition from those same institutions.
"He has always played the media game," Collins said. "He used to impersonate someone and call in and speak positively about himself. I think his base doesn't always realize he seeks validation from the same mainstream media they all trash."
Her comments also came at a time when tensions between Trump and several major media outlets remain high.
Kaitlan Collins points to Donald Trump's interactions with female reporters
The interview also touched on Collins' own experiences questioning the president.
Over the years, Trump has frequently targeted Collins during press exchanges, sometimes criticizing CNN and at other times making remarks about her appearance.
Collins told McCreesh that while Trump often reacts negatively to difficult questions from reporters in general, she believes there is a noticeable difference when those questions come from women.
"I don't think the president likes tough questions from anyone, and he's threatened a lot of our colleagues who are men, like Jonathan Karl and Peter Alexander," she said.
"But I do think that this term, people have started to notice the difference in his reaction when women like Mary Bruce or Nancy Cordes are doing the questioning."
McCreesh recalled one incident at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida last November when the president asked CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes if she was "a stupid person."
Collins then brought up another example involving journalist Catherine Lucey.
"Or Catherine Lucey, whom he called 'Miss Piggy' on Air Force One," Collins said. "All of them are excellent reporters. They don't need our defense because they know they're awesome."
Donald Trump's recent remarks about Kaitlan Collins sparked backlash
Collins' comments arrive less than a week after she found herself at the center of another tense exchange with Trump.
While taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office, the president criticized Collins as she questioned him about the Department of Justice's "anti-weaponization" fund.
Trump accused the CNN journalist of harboring animosity toward him and made comments about her appearance.
"You never see a young, beautiful woman who never smiles," he said. "I never see a smile on her face. I see her standing there with hatred in her eyes."
The remarks quickly prompted reactions from journalists and media figures.
CNN's Anderson Cooper came to Collins' defense and criticized Trump's comments.
Cooper described Trump as "a nearly 80-year-old man who has no problem commenting on her physical appearance and telling her she needs to smile," adding that such treatment "doesn't happen to men."
Former Trump spokesperson Sarah Matthews also defended Collins and argued that the criticism reflected a pattern.
"I've seen Kaitlan smile plenty of times, but when she's asking someone a hard-hitting question, I don't think that that means that she has to smile while doing it," Matthews said.
"And he brings it up time and time again, and it's these misogynistic attacks, not just against Kaitlan."
Donald Trump's latest media clash ended with a dramatic interview walkout
The debate surrounding Trump's relationship with reporters intensified again on Sunday during an interview with NBC News moderator Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press."
The interview became increasingly heated after Welker challenged Trump over his claims regarding the 2020 presidential election.
As the exchange continued, Trump expressed frustration and ultimately decided to end the conversation.
"Sorry. Let's call it quits because I've had enough," Trump said before removing his microphone and tossing it aside.
He then took one final swipe at both the interviewer and the network.
"Thank you, darling. Have a good time."
