CNN Anchor Kaitlan Collins Credits White House Press Secretary in Unusual Show of Professional Respect
In the often adversarial environment of White House press briefings, moments of mutual praise are exceedingly rare. However, CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins recently highlighted one such instance, involving her frequent debate opponent, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. This acknowledgment came during an appearance on Heather McMahan's Absolutely podcast, where Collins recounted a tense episode from a presidential trip to Saudi Arabia.
Incident in Saudi Arabia: A Test of Press Freedom
Collins described a situation where she was nearly barred from attending a press event after asking a question that unsettled local Saudi officials. She explained that Saudi authorities are not accustomed to the aggressive questioning typical of U.S. journalists. According to Collins, after she posed her query, "the Saudi Royal Guard kind of freaked out." They approached her and declared, "Okay, well you can't come into the next event," which was scheduled to begin just minutes later.
Collins asserted her rights, stating, "That's not how this works, I belong to the U.S. press," but the guards insisted, "Well, you're not coming in." She observed them "whispering and pointing" at her, while junior White House officials hesitated, unsure how to respond. The matter was eventually escalated to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Leavitt's Decisive Intervention
To her credit, Leavitt firmly stated, 'No, Kaitlan's coming in with the rest of the U.S. press,' Collins recounted. This intervention allowed Collins to enter the event, preventing the situation from escalating into a major diplomatic issue. Collins gave Leavitt rare public acknowledgment for this action, noting that it showcased a moment of professional respect that contrasts sharply with their usual interactions.
Contrast with Contentious Briefing Room Exchanges
This episode stands in stark contrast to the typically heated exchanges between Collins and Leavitt in the White House briefing room. For instance, in December 2025, Collins challenged President Donald Trump's assertions about economic strength during a briefing. She questioned, "If the economy is as strong as the president has said it is, then why is he telling parents two weeks before Christmas that they should only buy two or three dolls for their children?"
Leavitt responded forcefully, defending the president's policies. "Look, what the president is saying is that if we want products made right here in America, if we want them to be made from American small businesses, which is a large part of the reason the president has effectively implemented tariffs, then we're going to have better quality products right here in the United States," she argued. She added that consumers might pay slightly more but would receive better quality while supporting American workers.
Collins continued to press the issue, raising concerns about rising grocery prices and what she termed "mixed signals" from the administration. Leavitt fired back sharply, criticizing Collins and CNN directly. "My predecessor stood up at this podium, and she said inflation doesn't exist. She said the border was secure and people like you just took her at her word, and that those were two utter lies," Leavitt stated.
Leavitt's Critique of CNN
Leavitt also took aim at CNN's performance, linking it to President Trump's comments about the network's potential sale. "Well, I think the president's comments yesterday about the sale of CNN and new leadership are evidenced by my exchange with the CNN reporter in this room. Their viewership has gone down, their ratings have declined, and I think the president rightfully believes that network would benefit from new ownership. With respect to this deal, he has great respect for both companies that are bidding against one another," she asserted.
This back-and-forth underscores the ongoing tensions between the White House and certain media outlets, making Collins' acknowledgment of Leavitt's support in Saudi Arabia all the more noteworthy. It highlights how professional respect can occasionally transcend political and ideological divides, even in the most contentious of environments.
