CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Brutally Smacked Down By White House Press Secretary

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins found herself silenced mid-question by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a tense briefing showdown. The fiery exchange highlighted the Trump administration’s increasingly combative stance toward mainstream media outlets as Leavitt refused to entertain Collins’ follow-up questions about classified information shared in Signal texts.

At a glance:

• CNN’s Kaitlan Collins was cut off mid-question by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a White House briefing

• Collins attempted to ask about Trump administration officials sharing classified information in Signal texts

• Leavitt refused Collins’ follow-up question, stating she had “answered this question three times”

• The incident occurred just 24 hours after Collins was similarly shut down while questioning President Trump

• The controversy stems from The Atlantic publishing text exchanges revealing details about military operations against Houthi rebels

Heated Exchange Erupts Over Signal Text Controversy

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shut down CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins during Wednesday’s press briefing when Collins attempted to question the administration about leaked Signal texts. The confrontation stemmed from a recent Atlantic article that revealed Trump administration officials had discussed classified military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen through the encrypted messaging app.

Collins directly asked: “Does the President feel that he was misled by his National Security Advisers, whoever it was that told him there was no classified information in there now that he’s seen these messages?” Leavitt responded with visible frustration, making it clear she had no intention of revisiting a topic she believed was already addressed.

“I have now been asked and answered this question three times by the both of you. And I have given you my answer. The President feels the same as he did yesterday,” Leavitt firmly stated before cutting Collins off. When Collins attempted to press further, Leavitt bluntly declared, “Kaitlan, I am not taking your follow-up,” and quickly moved on to another reporter.

Administration Defends Communication Practices While Attacking Media

The White House has strongly criticized The Atlantic’s reporting on the Signal texts, with Leavitt dismissing Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg as “an anti-Trump hater.” During the briefing, Leavitt defended the administration’s communication practices while suggesting the media was focusing on trivial matters rather than substantive policy issues.

Leavitt used the opportunity to pivot toward criticizing Democrats and their handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal under the Biden administration. The Press Secretary affirmed that President Trump maintains complete trust in his national security team despite the ongoing controversy over the Signal texts.

Ongoing Tensions Between Trump Administration and CNN

Wednesday’s confrontation marks the latest chapter in a long history of tension between CNN reporters and the Trump administration. The incident occurred less than 24 hours after Collins was similarly shut down while attempting to question President Trump directly during a previous press interaction.

CNN always needs an attack dog with Trump – and they don’t really care if or when they make fools of themselves.

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