Kaitlan Collins, a prominent figure at CNN, has responded to former President Donald Trump’s recent tirade against her on his social media platform, Truth Social. The exchange stemmed from a question Collins posed regarding the escalating costs associated with the construction of a new ballroom at the White House.
The controversy unfolded when Trump, in his characteristic style, took to Truth Social to lambast Collins. He labelled her as “stupid and nasty” and criticised her line of questioning regarding the ballroom’s budget. According to Trump, Collins, whom he refers to as “Caitlin Collin’s of Fake News CNN,” inquired about the increased expenses of the new ballroom compared to initial projections made a year prior.
Trump defended the project, asserting that the ballroom’s size had been doubled, and the quality of its finishes and interiors elevated to the highest standards. He further claimed that the project was “actually under budget and ahead of schedule,” attributing this success to his personal involvement. “As my jobs always are,” he stated, emphasizing that the ballroom is “much bigger and more beautiful than originally planned.”
He also highlighted that the $300 million ballroom is being privately funded, a significant increase from the original estimated cost of $200 million. Trump pointed out that among the 37 donors are prominent figures from the tech industry, including giants like Amazon and Google, as well as individuals involved in cryptocurrency. He criticised CNN for allegedly failing to report this aspect of the project’s funding.
Trump’s post continued with a broader attack on CNN, accusing the network and its leadership of being “one of the worst in the business.” He further claimed that CNN’s viewership ratings are so low that they are “not even counted or relevant anymore,” concluding his post with his signature slogan, “MAGA!!!”
Collins responded to Trump’s online attack via her Instagram account. Sharing a screenshot of Trump’s post, she wryly noted, “Technically my question was about Venezuela.” This subtle jab seemed to highlight what she perceived as a deflection from the core issue of the ballroom’s escalating costs.
The exact timing of Collins’ initial question to Trump about the ballroom’s budget remains unclear. However, she referenced the construction on her CNN show, “The Source with Kaitlan Collins,” on Friday. “You see that giant crane that is over my shoulder? That’s the latest addition to the construction zone here at the White House, where President Trump’s ballroom is going to go eventually,” she said.
The rise in the ballroom’s expenses followed Trump’s decision to replace James McCrery II and his architecture firm in late October. Reportedly, disagreements arose between Trump and McCrery regarding the size of the new building. Sources suggest that Trump desired a larger structure, leading to clashes with McCrery. One account indicates that Trump replaced the designer due to missed deadlines and the firm’s limited workforce, which hindered progress.
Official announcements describe Trump’s ballroom, financed by significant contributions from tech donors like Amazon and Google, as spanning 90,000 square feet. This is considerably larger than the 55,000-square-foot mansion residence section of the White House complex.
Despite the circumstances surrounding McCrery’s departure, sources claim that Trump and the architect remain on amicable terms.
In response to Trump’s criticism of Collins, a CNN spokesperson issued a statement praising her journalistic abilities. “Kaitlan Collins is an exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity,” the spokesperson stated. “She skillfully brings that reporting to the anchor chair and CNN platforms every day, which audiences around the world know they can trust.”
The network refrained from directly addressing Trump’s specific post about Collins.
This latest exchange between Trump and Collins is just one instance in a series of interactions between the former president and the news media, highlighting the ongoing tension between political figures and journalists. The controversy surrounding the White House ballroom project and the personal attacks directed at Collins underscore the complexities of reporting on government activities and the challenges faced by journalists in the current political climate.
