President Donald Trump addressed attendees at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Friday evening, delivering a speech that combined humor with pointed criticisms of media figures and political opponents. Speaking from the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, President Trump notably directed several jokes at CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, including a comparison to transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, referencing the 2023 Bud Light marketing campaign.
"She’s a young, attractive woman, but she never smiles. I said, ‘Kaitlan, do you ever smile? Smile! You have a nice position, you’re at CNN fake news. You should be a happy person.’" — President Donald Trump
During his remarks, President Trump engaged with the audience, discussing the controversial Bud Light partnership with Mulvaney. "I thought Kaitlan had really made it big with a major new sponsorship," President Trump stated. "But then I informed her that it wasn’t her on the Bud Light can, it was Dylan Mulvaney." He further criticized the beverage company's decision, claiming the campaign led to a substantial decrease in its market value due to a consumer boycott. "Dylan Mulvaney cost Bud Light $35 billion in market cap," President Trump asserted. "That was the worst commercial ever made."
President Trump continued to target Collins, humorously acknowledging an award she received from the White House Correspondents’ Association. "I want to personally congratulate CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on receiving her award," he remarked. "It was all about me. It was a fake, she shouldn’t get the award, it was a fake. But I didn’t mind." He also reiterated a previous criticism regarding Collins' on-air demeanor, suggesting she rarely smiles. "She’s a young, attractive woman, but she never smiles," President Trump observed. "I said, ‘Kaitlan, do you ever smile? Smile! You have a nice position, you’re at CNN fake news. You should be a happy person.’"
In response to President Trump's comments, CNN issued a statement defending their journalist. A CNN spokesperson conveyed to the Daily Mail, "Kaitlan Collins is an exceptional, trusted journalist being honored tonight for her depth of knowledge and the context she provides to audiences all over the world." The spokesperson emphasized Collins' dedication and skill, adding, "She reports every day from the White House and the field with real strength and tenacity and skillfully brings that reporting to the anchor chair and CNN platforms every day. We stand by her to the fullest extent."
The President's address was part of a broader comedic routine that included references to several other public figures. According to the Daily Mail, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, musician Bruce Springsteen, and comedian Rosie O’Donnell were also mentioned in his speech. White House officials had earlier previewed the speech, describing it as one that would be, in part, "vicious."
This year's White House Correspondents’ Dinner, traditionally a gathering where the President often pokes fun at the media and himself, was held at the Waldorf Astoria. The venue change and heightened security measures were implemented after the original April event was canceled following a shooting incident outside the Washington Hilton, the event's usual location. The relocated dinner featured airport-style security screenings and accommodated approximately 700 guests. President Trump's appearance marked his first address at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner during his current term, continuing his well-documented history of engaging with and critiquing news organizations, particularly CNN. The event underscored the ongoing dynamic between the presidency and the press, even in a setting traditionally designed for lighthearted interaction.
