Trump Rips CNN at United Nations: ‘You Shouldn’t Be Here’

President Donald Trump had a tense exchange with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday while arriving at the United Nations alongside first lady Melania Trump. The confrontation unfolded as Trump briefly stopped to answer questions from reporters before his scheduled address to the U.N. General Assembly.

Collins questioned the president about the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Trump quickly turned his attention to CNN’s presence at the event. “You shouldn’t be here,” Trump told Collins.

Trump spots Kaitlan Collins at the UN:

“I’m surprised that CNN is here covering me… you said you weren’t going to cover me.” 😭 pic.twitter.com/bddUUeOTJc

— johnny maga (@johnnymaga) September 22, 2026

He then referenced his continuing dispute with the network. “It’s an honor to be here, I’m surprised that CNN is here covering me,” Trump said. “You said you weren’t gonna cover me, you shouldn’t be covering me.”

The president soon shifted away from the media dispute and offered an upbeat assessment of conditions in the United States. “We’re making a lot of progress, our country is doing really, really well,” Trump said before walking away with the first lady.

Another reporter then shouted a question concerning Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump turned back toward the press and responded with a brief message: “Settle the war.”

The exchange occurred several days after the Trump administration announced restrictions affecting CNN, MS NOW and Politico at the White House.

Trump has accused the organizations of providing unfair coverage of his administration.

The affected outlets subsequently challenged the administration’s actions in federal court, arguing that the restrictions violated constitutional protections.

The controversy also affected the television press pool. ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC stopped participating in White House television pool coverage after CNN was prevented from carrying out a scheduled pool assignment.

Trump’s appearance at the United Nations was separate from those White House access rules because media credentials for the international gathering are handled independently.

The president arrived in New York amid a busy diplomatic schedule that included his General Assembly speech and meetings with foreign leaders.

The conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine were expected to be major subjects throughout the president’s meetings.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump remained willing to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian while both leaders were in New York.

“This is a president that will meet with anybody for the most part, because he believes that engaging with people is important if you’re going to solve problems,” Rubio said.

“It doesn’t mean you’re going to end up agreeing with them, but it’s important.”

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said the president was expected to emphasize his administration’s approach to major international challenges.

“We expect the president will highlight how he has and his administration have confronted complex problems head-on around the world,” Waltz said.

Trump was also expected to address the Iran conflict, Russia’s war against Ukraine and his administration’s broader dealings with European and Middle Eastern leaders.

Tuesday’s confrontation marked another public exchange between Trump and Collins, who has repeatedly questioned the president during White House events and other appearances.

Their latest encounter also came as tensions between the Trump administration and several major media organizations continue over press access and coverage.