Kaitlan Collins, CNN’s chief White House correspondent, recently sat down with Seth Meyers on Late Night, sharing her frustrations about the relentless pace of covering Donald Trump’s presidency.
Reflecting on her seven-day work schedule, she noted how reporters are once again adjusting to the unpredictable nature of Trump’s leadership, a stark contrast to the relatively calmer coverage of Joe Biden’s administration.
Meyers kicked off the conversation by asking how she was holding up, prompting Collins to describe the experience as “insane.”
She recalled a time early in Biden’s presidency when The New York Times published an article about how quiet the weekends had become.
Those days are long gone, she explained, as journalists are now back to a reality where breaking news can happen at any moment, leaving little time to rest.
The Unpredictability of Trump’s Presidency
Collins shared an anecdote that perfectly illustrated the chaos of working under the Trump administration.
One morning, while simply heading out for breakfast, she received word that Trump would be holding a press conference within the hour.
Without hesitation, she sprinted back home to get ready.
The moment, she joked, summed up the daily unpredictability of covering Trump.
Meyers chimed in with a lighthearted remark, saying that at this point, it wouldn’t be surprising to see CNN reporters running down the street in a panic.
Collins laughed, adding that if anyone ever saw her running, they should check Twitter immediately because something major was happening.
The “Flood the Zone” Strategy
Meyers brought up an observation about Trump’s approach to governance, suggesting that his administration aims to “flood the zone” with constant news, making it difficult for any single story to dominate the cycle.
Collins agreed, noting that Trump’s team appears determined to maintain a high level of executive actions, frequently touting how many orders he has signed.
However, she pointed out that there is a limit to what a president can accomplish with a pen alone.
Recalling a moment that caught her attention, Collins described seeing Trump sign an unusually large document on camera.
When she texted a source for clarification, she discovered it wasn’t an important executive order but rather a proclamation for television producer Mark Burnett’s visit to the UK.
This, she implied, was another example of how Trump prioritizes optics over substance.
CNN’s Ratings Struggles and Late-Night Comedy Fatigue
Beyond the non-stop news coverage, the conversation touched on the broader media landscape.
Late-night hosts like Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel have resumed their familiar routine of taking jabs at Trump, much as they did during his first term.
However, some viewers have expressed fatigue over the repetitive nature of the jokes, leading to concerns about declining ratings.
CNN is facing its own challenges, having recorded its worst-ever January ratings in the coveted 25-54 demographic.
Amid layoffs and leadership changes, the network is reportedly being encouraged to dial back its coverage of Trump.
Meanwhile, Fox News continues to dominate cable news, securing a massive share of the primetime audience.
What’s Next for News Coverage?
As Trump’s presidency moves forward, journalists like Collins are bracing for more long hours and unexpected developments.
The media landscape is also evolving, with networks reassessing their strategies to stay relevant in a rapidly changing environment.
Whether audiences will continue to engage with the relentless news cycle—or tune out from the chaos—remains to be seen.
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