In a rare display of cross-aisle appreciation amid often contentious White House-press relations, CNN anchor and chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins publicly praised Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt for defending her press access during President Donald Trump’s trip to Saudi Arabia in May 2025.
Speaking on Heather McMahan’s “Absolutely Not” podcast, Collins recounted the incident in Riyadh, where press freedoms are severely restricted. During a media availability with Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Collins shouted a question at the president. Trump did not respond—a common occurrence in such settings—but the act drew an immediate reaction from the Saudi Royal Guard.
“They kind of freaked out because I dared to ask a question, and they’re not used to that there because they don’t have a free press,” Collins explained. Saudi officials subsequently attempted to bar her from the next press event, whispering and pointing in her direction while younger White House staff appeared unsure how to proceed.
It was Leavitt who stepped in decisively. According to Collins, staff consulted the press secretary, who firmly declared, “No, Kaitlan’s coming in with the rest of the U.S. press.” The group proceeded without further incident, averting what could have escalated into a diplomatic or logistical controversy.
“To her credit, she, without a doubt, was like, ‘No, you’re coming in,’” Collins said, emphasizing the importance of the moment. “Especially when you’re kind of the U.S. contingent abroad, and we don’t do things like they do in Saudi Arabia.” She highlighted how Leavitt upheld American journalistic norms in a foreign environment where such practices are unfamiliar and unwelcome.
NEW: CNN's Kaitlan Collins reveals that Press Sec. Leavitt defended her as a reporter.
"The Saudi Royal Guard freaked out because I dared to ask a question… and said you can't come into the next event… Karoline, to her credit said no Kaitlan's coming."pic.twitter.com/ovQUBBV09w
— Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) February 12, 2026
The anecdote stands out given the broader context. Collins has frequently clashed with Trump, who has called her “stupid and nasty” and recently remarked that he had never seen her smile. The administration has often criticized media outlets like CNN for perceived bias. Yet this episode revealed a pragmatic alliance: Leavitt, as the youngest White House press secretary in history, prioritized unified U.S. press access over personal or partisan tensions.
Collins drew a parallel to a similar encounter during Trump’s first term at the Korean Demilitarized Zone, underscoring recurring challenges in tightly controlled international settings. She has previously noted that Trump revolutionized presidential-media interactions by engaging shouted questions more than predecessors like Barack Obama, who largely avoided them.
The White House did not immediately comment on the story. In an era of polarized relations, Collins’ praise for Leavitt serves as a reminder that professional respect can occasionally bridge divides, especially when defending the principles of a free press on foreign soil.
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