Megyn Kelly defended Donald Trump on July 27 after the president criticized CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins during the July 24 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at Washington, D.C.’s Waldorf Astoria. Kelly called Collins “nasty” and argued that Collins’ repeated criticism of Trump explains the president’s pointed remarks. During the dinner, Trump reportedly mocked Collins for rarely smiling and questioned the legitimacy of the Excellence Under Deadline Pressure award she received. Trump also compared Collins with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney while reviving criticism of Mulvaney’s 2023 Bud Light advertisement. Why Did Megyn Kelly Back Trump? On The Megyn Kelly Show , Kelly said Trump understands that many liberal critics “hate him” and described his speech as a calculated move that forced his opponents into an uncomfortable political argument. Kelly said the president was using the kind of provocative humor associated with his public persona, not breaking from it. Kelly also argued that Trump’s comparison felt insulting to Collins because Mulvaney is transgender, while defending the president’s decision to make the comparison anyway. Her commentary adds another media personality to the fallout over Trump’s treatment of Collins, whose relationship with the president has remained openly combative during press appearances.