The right of the press to ask questions was upheld by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during President Donald Trump's recent visit to Saudi Arabia, as she intervened in a tense situation involving CNN's Kaitlan Collins. The incident, which occurred amidst a press availability event with U.S. and Saudi officials, was described by Collins on Heather McMahan’s “Absolutely Not” podcast, recorded on February 12, 2025.
"The Saudi Royal Guard freaked out because I dared to ask a question... Karoline, to her credit said, no Kaitlan's coming in with the rest of the U.S..." - Kaitlan Collins
Collins recounted that after posing a question to President Trump, which he chose not to answer, members of the Saudi Royal Guard took issue with her action. This reaction underscored the difference between the freedom of the press in the United States and the controlled media environment within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Following the departure of President Trump and other dignitaries from the room, the Saudi authorities attempted to bar Collins from attending the subsequent press event.
The unfolding drama saw White House staff members, unsure of how to react, turn to Press Secretary Leavitt for guidance. Demonstrating swift decision-making, Leavitt informed the Saudi authorities that Collins would indeed be joining the rest of the American press corps. Collins praised Leavitt's firm stance, which ensured that the incident did not escalate further and emphasized the importance of maintaining U.S. media practices even while abroad.
The occurrence in Saudi Arabia was not an isolated event in Collins's experience. She recalled a similar situation during President Trump’s first term at the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Throughout her tenure covering the Trump administration, Collins has been known for her tenacious reporting and has had several contentious exchanges with the President. Despite this, in an October podcast, Collins offered insight into how President Trump has uniquely engaged with the media, contrasting his responses to shouted questions with those of former President Obama.
President Trump's relationship with the press has been characterized by open criticism and threats of legal action. However, Collins's recent comments suggest a more complex dynamic, with Trump embracing media interaction in ways not typically seen with his predecessors.
The incident with the Saudi Royal Guard and the subsequent defense of press freedom by Leavitt highlighted the ongoing challenges and complexities of international journalism. It also underscored the commitment of White House staff to uphold American values, such as freedom of the press, even when operating in countries with different norms and expectations.
