CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins described former President Donald Trump’s relentless energy and unusual approach to work during an interview on Jason Tartick’s podcast “Trading Secrets.” Collins highlighted Trump’s apparent disregard for sleep, noting that he rarely rested during travel. “He like does not sleep,” she said, adding that staff members were frequently awakened during trips to discuss meetings or media responses.
Collins detailed how Trump insisted on constant communication, even disrupting sleep schedules to address colleagues. She mentioned that Air Force One lacked lie-flat seats for most passengers, forcing aides to use makeshift sleeping arrangements. The former president also reportedly kept televisions tuned to Fox News and spent hours reviewing recorded cable news segments.
Despite his demanding schedule, Collins emphasized Trump’s accessibility to the media. She described instances where he engaged reporters on Air Force One, turning informal settings into impromptu press conferences. “Trump embraced the media,” she said, contrasting his approach with former President Barack Obama’s reluctance to engage with journalists. Collins also shared a personal anecdote about directly contacting Trump during the Mar-a-Lago raid, receiving an immediate confirmation of the event.
While acknowledging tensions with Trump during press briefings, Collins credited his team for protecting press access, including a moment in Saudi Arabia where White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended her right to ask questions.