‘You shouldn’t be covering me’: Surprised Trump launches another attack at CNN’s Kaitlan Collins at UN
The reporters were present under UN credentials.
President Donald Trump confronted CNN Chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins at the UN General Assembly on the morning of September 22, 2026. He expressed his surprise at seeing the reporter during his arrival in New York City. The interaction occurred as Trump continued his push to block CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House. Trump told Collins directly that she should not be there.
According to The Hill, he claimed that she had previously stated she would not be covering him. This exchange happened while Collins attempted to ask a question regarding new polling data. That poll indicated rising public dissatisfaction with the administration’s military operations against Iran. Collins specifically asked the president when the Iran war would end. She cited data suggesting that two-thirds of Americans do not believe the United States is winning.
The president responded to the journalist by saying, “It’s an honor to be here. I’m surprised that CNN is here covering me.” He continued by telling her, “You should not be here covering me. You said you weren’t going to cover me. You shouldn’t be covering me.”
Following the tense moment, Collins appeared on CNN News Central to clarify the situation
She explained that she and other reporters were present under United Nations credentials. She firmly stated that the network “never said we were not going to cover the president.” Collins also emphasized that CNN would continue to report on the president and his speech. She noted that the network would also cover his meetings with world leaders. She further clarified that they would do so without a television camera from one of the five major networks inside the room.
This public confrontation follows a significant legal move made by media organizations. On Monday, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filed a lawsuit against the administration. The legal action challenges the decision to revoke White House press credentials for these three outlets. Attorneys for the media companies argued that Trump is targeting them because he “dislikes the content of their coverage of him and his administration.”
The lawsuit describes the ban as a direct assault on the First Amendment. The lawyers wrote in the complaint that the move is “a more blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles.” A federal judge is expected to hold a hearing regarding this matter on Wednesday.
The administration’s decision to restrict access has caused a ripple effect across the media landscape
Various television networks pulled their participation in the presidential pool in solidarity with the impacted outlets. This pool typically travels with the president to capture footage from public appearances. In a rare joint statement, pool members including Fox News Media, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, and CNN issued a response.
They stated, “The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government.” The organizations added, “No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.”
Trump has defended his actions despite the outcry
According to The Guardian, the president has claimed his ban was not an assault on the free press. Instead, he framed the decision as a necessary step to address national security threats. This is a justification he has used recently to defend other projects, such as building a White House ballroom and a triumphal arch.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the president’s position during an appearance on the TODAY show on Monday. He spoke with host Craig Melvin about the ongoing controversy. Rubio said, “I don’t think the White House is saying they’re not able to cover the President.”
He further explained his perspective by asking, “What he is arguing is, why should I have these people? What right do they have to be embedded in this building?” The secretary concluded by noting that the reporters can still cover the White House, but they simply cannot have a desk there.
Last week, while announcing the ban on CNN, Politico, and MS NOW, the president accused the outlets of reporting “FICTION and LIES.” He made these claims without citing specific evidence. By Saturday, reporters and staff from these organizations were officially denied access to the White House grounds.
In response to the ban, CNN had released a statement on Saturday
The network declared, “We will not be deflected from our duty to hold the government and other public bodies to account, and we will continue to report on the actions and processes of this administration without fear or favor.” The situation remains fluid as the legal battle proceeds through the court system. Reporters are still finding ways to cover the president’s activities despite the restrictions at the White House.
The scene at the UN on Tuesday served as a clear reminder of the ongoing friction between this administration and specific media outlets. It is clear that both sides are dug in for a long dispute. The outcome will likely set the tone for how press access is handled moving forward.
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