Trump Attacks Collins as White House Access Lawsuit Proceeds

President Donald Trump attacked CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins in a Truth Social post late Tuesday, criticizing her coverage after a tense exchange at the United Nations and denouncing CNN, MS NOW and Politico as they challenge his White House access ban in court. Trump called Collins a “third rate reporter,” accused her of having a “TRUMP addiction” and described the networks as “sick, treasonous, and demented.” He also referred to a “totally disloyal Judge,” an apparent reference to U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who is handling the lawsuit. The post repeated Trump’s criticism of Collins for being at the United Nations after he said the outlets had indicated they would not cover him. The exchange took place Tuesday outside U.N. headquarters in New York, before Trump addressed the General Assembly. Collins asked him a question about Americans’ views of the war with Iran. Trump said he was surprised CNN was covering him and that she should not be there. Collins replied that the United Nations had allowed CNN in. Reports say she was credentialed to cover the General Assembly. Trump had barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House the previous Friday.