WATCH: Trump snubs CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins over questions on Russia sanctions and release of American citizen in viral video; here’s what we know about her

US President Donald Trump has earned a reputation for lashing out at reporters and journalists over the years. He has again snapped at a CNN reporter as she questioned him about sanctions on Russia, linking it to the release of an American citizen by Moscow.

CNN’s White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins again came into the spotlight after Trump attacked her for asking whether the waived sanctions were linked to the release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American citizen. He was jailed in Russia for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine.

During the heated exchange with Collins, Trump said, “We were in the midst of negotiating (Hubbard’s release), and a lot of stupid people said, and people that don’t know how life works, they said, ‘Why aren’t you putting Russian sanctions,’ and all this, in the midst of a negotiation to try and get a long-term hostage back from Russia,” he said.


“So you did give something?” Collins asked. “You don’t know anything. You’re fake news CNN,” the president replied. As the exchange continued, Collins specifically asked Trump if the sanctions were lifted in exchange for Hubbard’s release.



Responding to the query, the US president snapped at the CNN journalist and gave a more sharp and biting answer. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re a low-IQ person. You’re a dummy, and you work for CNN,” he said. “We’re getting him back because of me.”

The latest incident was not the first time when Trump and Collins have been involved in a heated exchange over direct questions. In September 2026, he publicly criticized Collins and attacked her in a post on his social media platform Truth Social

“Very dumb and unhappy Fake News CNN ‘reporter,’ Kaitlan Collins (really low ratings, also!), had a panel where discussions were all FICTION AND LIES,” Trump wrote in September. “You would think that CNN, which is suffering terribly in the TV Ratings, would get rid of their 3rd rate 'anchors' and try to bring credibility back to their once storied network. It is fading FAST! See you all at the Republican National Convention tomorrow night!!!”

Who is Kaitlan Collins

Kaitlan Collins is a renowned journalist and a host working for CNN. Known for interviewing big names in global and US politics, she currently covers the White House for the network. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science.

Born on April 7, 1992, she grew up in the rural town of Prattville, Alabama, outside Montgomery. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science.

According to Britannica, she initially studied chemistry and later switched her majors to journalism and political science. During an interview in 2021, she described herself as someone with an “apolitical upbringing.”


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Prior to her ongoing stint with CNN, she worked for The Daily Caller. Over the course of her media career, Collins has earned great amount of recognition for her contribution in journalism. She was named to 2024’s TIME100 Next List, according to the CNN website.

She was also included in Mediaite’s annual list of the Most Influential People in News Media since 2018. Besides this, she was also named to Crain’s NewsPro’s 12 to Watch in TV News in 2019, as well as one of Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30: Media in the same year. In 2023, she was named on Variety’s New Power of New York list.