CNN’s Kaitlan Collins reveals how Karoline Leavitt came to her defense

CNN host Kaitlan Collins revealed in an interview this week that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt came to her defense during President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia.

“I asked a shouted question to President Trump, who had seen me when the US press came in,” Collins said. “He didn’t answer, which is, I mean, that’s how it works. You shout questions. They either answer or they don’t — it’s their prerogative. And then the world leaders left the room.

“The Saudi Royal Guard 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,” she added.

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Says Karoline Leavitt Defended Her Free Press Rights

“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 in with the rest of the U.S.… pic.twitter.com/uhB9al4GVX

— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) February 12, 2026

It was at this point that Collins explained how Leavitt stepped in to prevent a problem for her.

“I could see them like, whispering, and pointing about me,” Collins said. “And some of the younger White House staff, they are with the press, weren’t really sure what to do, and they went to Karoline and, to her credit, she said, ‘No, Kaitlan’s coming in with the rest of the US press,’ and we went in. And, so, it didn’t become this huge issue.”

“So, to her credit, she, without a doubt, was like, ‘No, you’re coming in,’” Collins explained. “Which I do think is important in that moment, especially when you’re kind of the US contingent abroad, and we don’t do things like they do in Saudi Arabia.”

According to Collins, there was a similar incident when Trump visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

While Collins acknowledged that she asked a “shouted question,” many feel the media’s practice of yelling at the president every time he may be within earshot is a bit uncouth and makes the White House press pool come off as a pack of screaming jackals.

Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:

But I was told Karoline Leavitt was a fascist!

— HannaKat (@swiftyloo) February 12, 2026

Karoline Leavitt making sure that Kaitlin Collins was allowed into the event and Kaitlin thanking her for it is how America is supposed to work. You defend free speech even if you don’t like the journalist.

— Andy froemel (@FroemelAndy) February 12, 2026

@KaitlanCollins acknowledges she disrespected the norms in a foreign country and yet still demands her entitlement. Karoline Leavitt shows her undeserved kindness, and she offers NO gratitude, only entitlement. By her own actions and in her own words, Kaitlan Collins lacks…

— ToddTobin (@ToddTobin8) February 12, 2026

CNN’s ratings might rise if a little decorum is added into the mix. Neither Collins (nor Acosta) are anybody’s Sam Donaldson. That ship has sailed, and–surprise, surprise–CNN’s ratings naturally followed suit. The WaPo layoffs ought to be a wake-up call…

— Tech Rep (@witsawagon) February 12, 2026

She should show respect in her role as a reporter. Karoline was wrong this time, Kaitlin should suffer for her disrespectful behavior, not be rewarded for it. Decorum is important.

— TwatterjailbirdPAM (@twatterjailbird) February 12, 2026

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