Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Photo credit: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson.
Donald Trump confronted CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins at the United Nations in New York after the US president questioned why CNN was covering him despite his administration’s recent decision to bar the network from the White House. Trump CNN Kaitlan Collins UN.
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The exchange took place on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as Trump arrived at the United Nations General Assembly. Collins attempted to ask the president about the ongoing war with Iran, but Trump instead questioned CNN’s presence at the event.
The confrontation comes amid an escalating dispute between the Trump administration and several major US news organizations over access to the White House.
What happened between Trump and Kaitlan Collins?
As Trump arrived at the United Nations, Collins asked him when the war with Iran would end, referring to CNN polling indicating that two-thirds of Americans surveyed did not believe the United States was winning the conflict.
Trump did not directly answer the question at first. Instead, he expressed surprise that CNN was covering him and told Collins that she should not be there.
Collins responded that the United Nations had permitted CNN to attend the General Assembly. She then attempted to return to her question about the Iran war.
Trump subsequently spoke about his appearance at the United Nations and claimed that the United States was making progress, without directly addressing Collins’ question about when the conflict would end.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins was among journalists covering Trump’s appearance at the United Nations.
Why was CNN at the UN despite the White House ban?
The White House restriction and access to the United Nations are separate matters.
Trump had announced days earlier that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House. However, the restriction did not prevent journalists from those organizations from receiving credentials to cover events at the United Nations.
Collins explained on CNN that journalists covering the General Assembly had been credentialed by the United Nations. CNN’s own transcript also reported that the network continued covering Trump and other events at the UN despite no longer serving in its previous White House television pool role.
Trump said the decision was connected to what he described as false or inaccurate reporting by the outlets. Reuters reported that Trump said the decision was based on what he described as cumulative coverage over several years rather than one specific incident.
Journalists from the three organizations were subsequently denied access to the White House grounds.
The outlets have challenged the decision in court, arguing that the restrictions violate their constitutional rights. The Trump administration has defended its position and disputed the characterization that the policy represents an attack on press freedom.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico take legal action
CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking restoration of their access to the White House.
The news organizations argue that the administration’s decision improperly restricts journalists because of their reporting. The administration’s position is that it has the authority to determine access to the White House and has defended its reasons for excluding the outlets.
A federal court hearing was expected to consider the dispute on Wednesday, September 23, according to reporting published around the time of the UN confrontation.
The confrontation at the United Nations has drawn attention because it demonstrated that the White House restriction did not prevent CNN journalists from continuing to cover Trump at other venues where they had independent credentials.
The Guardian reported that CNN had maintained that it would continue covering the administration despite the White House restrictions.
CNN’s coverage of Trump’s UN appearance also confirmed that the network intended to continue reporting on the president and his activities, including his meetings with other world leaders.
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Trump Confronts CNN’s Kaitlan Collins at UN After White House Media Ban
The immediate focus is on the legal challenge brought by CNN, MS NOW and Politico against the White House restrictions.
The dispute raises questions about the relationship between presidential access, media organizations and the constitutional protections surrounding press activity in the United States. The eventual court proceedings will determine how the restrictions are treated under applicable law.
Meanwhile, CNN has indicated that it will continue covering Trump outside the White House when its journalists have access through other credentialing arrangements, including events at the United Nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Donald Trump confront Kaitlan Collins?
Trump questioned why CNN was covering him at the United Nations after his administration had barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. Collins explained that CNN had been granted access to the UN General Assembly by the United Nations.
Collins asked Trump when the war with Iran would end, citing CNN polling indicating that two-thirds of Americans surveyed did not believe the United States was winning the conflict.
Is CNN banned from the United Nations?
No. The White House restriction concerns access to the White House. CNN journalists were credentialed to cover the United Nations General Assembly.
Trump said the decision was related to what he described as false or inaccurate reporting by CNN and the other affected outlets. The organizations dispute the basis for the restrictions and have challenged the decision in court.
Are CNN, MS NOW and Politico taking the White House to court?
Yes. The three organizations filed a lawsuit challenging their exclusion from the White House and seeking restoration of their access.
CNN has indicated that it will continue reporting on Trump and his administration. Its journalists can cover events outside the White House when they have the relevant credentials or access.
Source
This report is based on reporting by The Guardian, with details cross-checked against CNN’s published transcript and additional reporting from Reuters and AP.
