In a recent turn of events at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, former President Donald Trump drew sharp criticism after he targeted both CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins and social media personality Dylan Mulvaney during his speech on July 24. Collins had just received an award for her reporting, making Trump’s remarks particularly striking.
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While addressing the audience, Trump expressed disdain for Collins’ accolade, labelling it as “fake” and implying that she did not deserve it. He remarked, “I want to personally congratulate CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on receiving her award… It was all about me,” displaying a lack of decorum as he shifted the narrative to centre around himself. In a moment that has since garnered substantial media attention, he advised Collins to “just smile,” before making a questionable comparison between her and Mulvaney.
The former president referenced the Bud Light controversy, stating, “I thought Kaitlan had really made it big with a major new sponsorship, but then I informed her that it wasn’t her on the Bud Light can, it was Dylan Mulvaney.” This comment aimed to ridicule both women and implied a connection to the backlash surrounding Bud Light’s partnership with Mulvaney, which had led to significant consumer boycotts and a notable drop in the company’s market value.
In response to these attacks, Mulvaney took to her Instagram Stories, sharing a quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” The post, which included the quote along with three heart emojis, was a show of solidarity towards Collins, emphasising the importance of resilience amidst public condemnation.
Collins herself later posted a recap of the dinner on her Instagram, highlighting the positive aspects of the evening and acknowledging the importance of the First Amendment. She shared photographs with her colleague, Wolf Blitzer, who presented her with the award, and reflected, “The second best part of last night’s White House Correspondents Dinner was receiving an award from my friend and mentor, @wolfblitzer.”
As the fallout from Trump’s remarks continued, he further intensified the attack by sharing a photoshopped image on his Truth Social account. The edited image placed Collins’ face on Mulvaney’s body, depicting her holding a can of Bud Light while seated at a table surrounded by more beers. This move was seen as an attempt to further demean both women and particularly signal his disapproval of Mulvaney, who has become a symbol for some of the cultural conversations around gender and representation.
In a previous interview from 2025, Mulvaney spoke candidly about the backlash she faced during the Bud Light controversy, detailing her journey to healing. “I am about a thousand times stronger than I was before that situation happened,” she noted, underscoring a sense of personal growth and resilience in the face of adversity.
The evening’s events have sparked a considerable conversation regarding media treatment, gender, and how public figures are perceived in today’s political climate. Trump’s comments have been widely interpreted as a strategy of distraction from more pressing issues and have brought to light the ongoing challenges faced by women in the media.
As discussions surrounding gender identity and media representation continue to evolve, the reactions from Collins and Mulvaney serve as a reminder of the power of solidarity in the face of disparagement. Their respective responses not only underscore their personal resilience but also reflect broader societal conversations around media ethics and the role of public figures in contributing to the discourse.
The incident has further ignited debates on social media platforms, with many users voicing their opinions regarding the appropriateness of Trump’s remarks and the implications they hold for how women in journalism and media are perceived and treated. As the situation unfolds, it remains clear that the intersection of politics and media continues to be fraught with challenges, requiring continual scrutiny and dialogue.