Kaitlan Collins is a well-known anchor at CNN -Credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images
(Bloomberg via Getty Images)
CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins is said to be flying high on her reputation, even as the network continues to face criticism over its coverage and internal shake-ups.
The 33-year-old from Alabama made history in 2021 when she became CNN’s youngest chief White House correspondent, a role that placed her at the center of some of the most high-profile political stories in recent years. She boasted, “The respect of your colleagues – not just within your own team but within the entire White House press corps – is to be well-read on what’s going on and to have good reporting.”
But now insiders have claimed that Collins is enjoying more of the glamorous side of the job. “Seems Collins cares more about the perks of journalism,” a source told Daily Mail. It comes as Donald Trump has gone ‘berserk’ with CNN viewers noticing ‘cognitive’ decline.
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Over the past year, she has been spotted mingling with celebrities at major events, including the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, and is also said to have attended the Vanity Fair annual post-Oscars bash – an event reportedly off-limits to journalists.
Collins has spoken before about the responsibility of her role, saying, “When you go on CNN and give a report from the White House, people from all walks of life are listening to you to see what’s going on, and they’re counting on you to know what you’re talking about and to present it fairly,” she told Forbes in February 2021.
The CNN journalist attended the Vanity Fair Oscars after party on March 15 -Credit:Getty Images for Vanity Fair
“When you become more well-known as a red carpet influencer than a journalist, there’s a problem,” the source added. They also shared that Matthew Belloni, author of Puck’s influential media gossip column, had dubbed Collins the new holder of “the Don Lemon crown of CNN-er who most enjoys flying to LA for parties.”
Lemon was ousted from CNN in April 2023 amid widespread discontent within the network over his perceived arrogance and star-studded lifestyle, according to reports.
Back in June, reports emerged that changes were coming for CNN employees following news that the network would be moving under a new corporate structure.
Kaitlan has been dubbed the new holder of ‘the Don Lemon crown of CNN-er who most enjoys flying to LA for parties’ -Credit:MediaPunch/Shutterstock
It was confirmed that Warner Bros. Discovery plans to split into two separate companies. The restructuring will separate the studio and streaming business from the traditional cable television networks.
David Zaslav, who earned $51.9 million in 2024, will remain CEO and president of Warner Bros. Discovery, overseeing the studios and HBO Max. Gunnar Wiedenfels, currently Chief Financial Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery, will lead the new company, called Global Networks.
Reports also indicated that CNN staff are bracing for potential salary cuts amid rumors of a possible sale of the network. Out of roughly 3,500 employees, half a dozen reportedly told Status they were feeling anxious about the changes, particularly regarding leadership under Wiedenfels.
Kaitlan has been accused of caring ‘more about the perks of journalism’ -Credit:AFP via Getty Images
Wiedenfels sent an email to CNN staffers, which reportedly reflected on the network’s various shakeups over the past decade. Titled “Excitement for the Future,” the message described Wiedenfels as a “deep admirer of CNN,” praising the network’s content.
He also vowed his “full support” and assured staff that CNN would “continue to operate with full editorial independence.” The Mirror US has reached out to Kaitlan Collins’ representatives for comment.
