A recent account from CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins is drawing attention after she described how the Trump administration stepped in to defend her access while covering President Donald Trump overseas — a moment that contrasts with frequent claims from Democratic critics that the administration seeks to suppress the press.
Collins shared the story during an appearance on the “Absolutely Not” podcast hosted by Heather McMahan. She recounted traveling with the White House press pool to Saudi Arabia during a presidential trip, where she attempted to ask a question in a setting that prompted concern from Saudi officials.
“They famously do not like the media there, to put it lightly,” Collins said, describing the environment. According to Collins, members of the Saudi royal guard reacted strongly when she attempted to speak, reflecting what she described as the country’s lack of press freedom. She said she was told she would not be permitted to attend a subsequent event.
Faced with uncertainty about how to respond, members of the traveling press contingent raised the issue with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Collins said Leavitt intervened directly to ensure that she remained part of the official U.S. press pool.
“And to her credit, she said, no, Kaitlin is coming in with the rest of the U.S. press. And we went in. And so it didn’t become this huge issue,” Collins said. “And so to her credit, she, without a doubt, was like, no, you’re coming in. Which I do think is important in that moment, especially when you’re the U.S. contingent abroad, and we don’t do things like they do in Saudi Arabia.”
The incident occurred against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between Trump and several major media outlets, including CNN.
Despite those clashes, Trump has continued to hold regular press availabilities, often taking extended questions from reporters across the political spectrum. Supporters argue that the president’s willingness to engage — even in combative exchanges — demonstrates openness rather than suppression.
Collins’ account highlights a distinction between rhetorical battles and formal restrictions on access. While the president and his press team have criticized specific reporters and outlets, Collins’ story indicates that, at least in this instance, the administration defended the inclusion of a CNN correspondent in the official pool while abroad.
The setting of the exchange is also notable. Saudi Arabia does not operate under U.S.-style constitutional protections for press freedom. By insisting that Collins remain with the American press delegation, Leavitt signaled that U.S. standards would govern the treatment of American journalists traveling with the president.
Collins framed the moment as significant in the context of representing the United States overseas. She emphasized that the intervention prevented the situation from escalating into a larger diplomatic or media controversy.
The episode has circulated widely online, with commentators pointing to it as evidence that disputes between the Trump administration and media outlets have not translated into formal efforts to bar journalists from covering the president’s activities.
Democratic lawmakers and activists have frequently characterized Trump as hostile to democratic norms, including freedom of the press. The administration has rejected those claims, arguing that criticism of media coverage does not equate to censorship.
No indication has emerged that Collins faced further restrictions during the trip after Leavitt’s intervention. The White House has not issued a separate formal statement on the incident beyond the remarks described by Collins.
As Collins noted on the podcast, the outcome reinforced a difference between how press access is treated in the United States and in countries without comparable constitutional safeguards.