Former President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins superimposed onto the body of transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney on Sunday, days after comparing the two during a speech at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Trump’s Remarks at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
The 80-year-old Republican made the comparison during his April 26 speech at the rescheduled event, which was postponed after a shooting disrupted the original April gathering. Trump targeted Collins, a frequent critic of his administration, while accepting a satirical award on her behalf for coverage of his February 2025 meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“She shouldn’t get the award. It was a fake, but I didn’t mind,” Trump said. He then pivoted to Mulvaney, whose 2023 Bud Light partnership sparked a conservative boycott and a reported $35 billion decline in the beer brand’s market value. “I thought Kaitlan had 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,” he added.
AI Image and Broader Criticism of Female Journalists
The AI-altered image Trump posted on Sunday depicted Collins’ face on Mulvaney’s body, using a widely circulated photo from Mulvaney’s 2023 Bud Light campaign. The post included no caption or explanation. Collins has been a recurring target of Trump’s criticism, including demands that she “smile more” during her reporting on him.
Trump’s comments at the dinner extended beyond Collins. He referred to CNN’s Jake Tapper as “Fake Tapper” and called *The Wall Street Journal* reporter Josh Dawsey “unhireable” after Dawsey won an award that evening. The former president has a history of singling out female journalists, previously comparing some to animals and questioning their intelligence.
Reactions and Context
CNN CEO Mark Thompson issued a statement defending the network’s journalists: “We stand by our journalists and the integrity and fair-mindedness with which the CNN team reports the news. Honest, accurate journalism may sometimes irritate politicians, but our right to report without government interference is fully protected by the U.S. Constitution.”
Mulvaney, now 29, gained prominence on TikTok by documenting her transition, marking each day “of being a girl.” Her Bud Light partnership, which included a video dressed as Audrey Hepburn’s *Breakfast at Tiffany’s* character, drew backlash from conservatives and led to a sustained boycott of the brand.
What Happens Next
Trump’s latest remarks and the AI-generated image are likely to fuel ongoing debates over media bias, political rhetoric, and the treatment of journalists by public figures. Observers will watch for further responses from CNN, Mulvaney, and advocacy groups monitoring attacks on the press.
