NCS anchor Kaitlan Collins is being acknowledged for her protection of a tense Oval Office second because the White House Correspondents’ Dinner returns to the highlight
Kaitlan Collins to be acknowledged (Image: NCS)
NCS anchor Kaitlan Collins, 32, is ready to receive a significant honor on the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, the place she’s going to settle for the award for Excellence in Presidential News Coverage on behalf of her staff.
Collins, who beforehand served as NCS’s Chief White House Correspondent, shared the information with viewers on air, emphasizing that the popularity displays group effort moderately than a person achievement. Collins and her staff stood agency towards Trump and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt all through the previous yr’s information cycle, incomes her the award.
“I am being honored with an award for excellence in presidential news coverage under deadline pressure for broadcast news. This is an award that recognizes our entire team’s coverage of that infamous Oval Office meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky,” she stated alongside a clip of the assembly from February. It comes simply as Collins rubbed shoulders with politicians at Grindr’s pre-White House dinner party.
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She continued, “No one can forget that Oval Office meeting. But we were all there watching it unfold in real time and waiting to see what would happen and how the day would go on. As Zelensky was eventually basically kicked out of the White House.”
Collins additionally singled out members of her NCS staff, noting that the popularity was “truly a team effort.”
Viewers shortly reacted on-line, praising Collins for her work. One individual wrote, “You are top notch in your field! Congrats! Keep delivering!” Another added on X, “So well deserved.” A 3rd commented, “Don’t stop @kaitlancollins Keep pressing for the truth all while keeping a straight face! God protect you and keep you safe!!”
Others echoed comparable assist, with one writing, “Congratulations @kaitlancollins for doing a great job in a not so friendly environment,” and one other including, “She seems to be one of the only people doing her job these days in that room. Congrats.” A last commenter stated, “Well done. You have fools from fox who are just there to make trump happy and no real questions. Thanks Collins for winning we’ll deserved award.”
The annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, scheduled for April 25, 2026, is drawing elevated consideration this yr as President Donald Trump, 79, is predicted to attend for the primary time throughout his presidency after years of skipping the occasion.
The dinner, which usually blends journalism awards with comedy, is taking a special method this yr. Instead of a comic, organizers have tapped mentalist Oz Pearlman, 42, to carry out, reflecting the extra tense political local weather surrounding the occasion.
Trump’s relationship with the press, and with Collins particularly, has usually been contentious. During her time within the White House briefing room, Collins was at occasions known as out instantly by the president, who has criticized her reporting and labeled sure questions as inappropriate. His administration has broadly taken purpose at reporters, ceaselessly accusing media shops of spreading “fake news.”
The lead-up to the dinner has additionally sparked commentary from late-night hosts. Jimmy Kimmel, 58, not too long ago joked concerning the occasion on his present, quipping, “A mentalist and a mental case on stage together,” whereas additionally providing to host the dinner himself and saying, “Think of the ratings.”
Kimmel has continued to mock the state of affairs, not too long ago calling Trump “a delicate snowflake with the thinnest fat skin of any human being ever” throughout a monologue concerning the absence of a comic on the occasion.
Stephen Colbert, 61, has additionally weighed in, utilizing his present to poke enjoyable at Trump’s anticipated look and the weird format of the evening, although he’s not taking part within the occasion itself.