CNN Reporter Barred From White House Event

CNN's Kaitlan Collins

A CNN correspondent said she was barred from an open White House press event on Wednesday following questions she asked President Trump earlier in the day.

According to Fox News, the correspondent, Kaitlan Collins, says the White House denied her access to Trump's Rose Garden statement on trade with the European Union Commission president because officials found her earlier questions "inappropriate."

Collins' questions had focused on Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, and the recent revelations of audio recordings of talk between the two men.

"Did Michael Cohen betray you, Mr. President," Collins could be heard asking Trump in a clip provided by CNN. "Mr. President, did Michael Cohen betray you? Mr. President, are you worried about what Michael Cohen is going to say to prosecutors?"

Collins could also be heard asking about Russian President Vladimir Putin, who met with Trump in Helsinki, Finland, this month and was in the process of being invited to Washington for a followup meeting. "Why has Vladimir Putin not accepted your invitation?" she asked. "Why has Vladimir Putin not accepted your invitation, Mr. President? Are you worried about what is on the other tapes, Mr. President?"

The president did not address Collins' questions.


CNN backed their correspondent and dismissed the appropriateness issue.

Statement regarding CNN press access at today’s White House event. We demand better. pic.twitter.com/s4lSTcHVak

— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) July 25, 2018

CNN, rival networks, and the White House Correspondents Association all spoke out against the administration's action

Sanders did not deny that Collins was kept out of the event but claimed that other CNN journalists were welcome to attend in her place.