Oscar winner praises CNN’s Kaitlan Collins after Trump attack: ‘What real integrity is’
The actor also explained why he didn't attend the Academy Awards.
Ryan Cooper 
Sean Penn is publicly backing CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, praising her for displaying "real integrity" during a high-profile exchange with President Donald Trump. The Oscar-winning actor shared his support during a conversation with Collins at the 25th annual Tribeca Festival this past Friday.
A Masterclass in Composure
Reflecting on the recent viral interaction, Penn commended Collins for her professional conduct. As noted by Variety, the actor told the anchor that she has "brought so much of what real integrity is to covering this president," adding that any questions regarding who would win a "stare-down contest" were settled by the recent events.
Why Penn Skipped the Oscars
Beyond his support for Collins, the 65-year-old actor opened up about his absence from the Academy Awards. Penn explained that large gatherings present a significant challenge for him personally.
"It’s not just (that it’s) an awards show," Penn said. "That always represented social discomfort for me; too many people. I’m now down, committed for life, that I won’t go anywhere to be in a designated group beyond eight people."
The Context Behind the Exchange
The tension escalated last week when the President was questioned regarding the Department of Justice’s choice to abandon its $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund." Instead of focusing on the policy, Trump shifted his attention to the CNN reporter.
"CNN’s a very corrupt organization with a corrupt reporter standing right there," Trump remarked. He further targeted Collins by commenting on her demeanor, claiming he saw "hatred in her eyes" and noting that he never sees her smile.
Collins Responds
Collins addressed the personal attack at the start of Wednesday’s broadcast of "The Source." She maintained her focus on the administration's policy decisions, noting that the comments occurred even before she had posed a single question to the President. As reported by Mediaite, Collins pointed out that the President seemed visibly irritated when initially prompted about the status of the $1.8 billion fund.
