A tense exchange unfolded on CNN on Wednesday as Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins challenged host Kaitlan Collins on the network’s recent settlement of a $5 million defamation case involving a Navy veteran.
The unexpected shift occurred after repeated questioning regarding leaked national security discussions within the Trump administration, leading the secretary to turn the tables on the interviewer.
Initially, Kaitlan Collins pressed Secretary Collins for his perspective on the recent controversy surrounding leaked group chat messages discussing sensitive war plans.
The secretary repeatedly deflected, emphasizing his commitment solely to veterans’ welfare.
“I was not involved in the chat,” Secretary Collins stated clearly.
“I trust the president’s opinion on it. I trust what’s been going on. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. My opinion is that my job is to take care of veterans in this country as they come out of service, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
However, when Kaitlan Collins continued to press the issue, the secretary grew increasingly frustrated.
“Kaitlan, as I’ve just told you, I’ve just answered the question,” he responded.
“I wasn’t a part of it and, you know, I’m not going to speculate more than what the president has already talked about, and those who have been involved have talked about, but would love to talk about the veterans.”
The situation escalated further when the CNN host, who so far this week has twice been prevented from asking follow-up questions at the White House related to the Signal chat controversy, asked the secretary a third time about the leaks. Secretary Collins, visibly agitated, pivoted dramatically.
“Well, Kaitlan, since you undoubtedly don’t want to talk about the VA, I have a question as VA secretary,” he retorted sharply.
“I want to ask you because I’ve been curious about this, because my job is to take care of veterans, and I would like to know why CNN is hostile to veterans, especially one in Florida where you just had a $5 million defamation suit taking offense at a veteran who is trying to help people.”
The secretary continued: “In fact, one of your employees actually said, ‘We’re going to nail him.’ I have a question for you, Kaitlan. Is that employee still employed? Are you really concerned about veterans?”
Secretary Collins added: “So if we don’t want to talk about veterans now, you want to talk about everything else, I’d like to hear from CNN as the veteran cabinet secretary why CNN seems to have a problem with veterans.”
Caught off-guard, Kaitlan Collins attempted to steer back to her original questioning, replying, “Well, Mr. Secretary, respectfully, my question was about…” only to be interrupted.
“Answer my question, Kaitlan,” Secretary Collins insisted forcefully.
“What you want to do is talk about a subject I’ve already answered? I’ve answered your question, why don’t you answer mine? Is this person still employed who said they were gonna nail one of my veterans, who he had to do a $5 million award from the jury because of defamation, and then you settled the case? Answer my question.”
Remaining composed, the CNN anchor asserted her position: “Respectfully sir, I’m asking the questions here and I have no involvement in what you’re referencing there.”
She continued, attempting to pivot the discussion back to her original query about cabinet members’ use of Signal messaging.
Earlier in the year, CNN faced legal trouble when a Florida jury ruled the network had defamed Navy veteran Zachary Young, who had assisted in evacuating people from Afghanistan amid the chaotic withdrawal ordered by President Biden.
The jury initially awarded Young $5 million in damages, with further punitive damages being considered before CNN opted to settle privately for an undisclosed amount.
Young accused CNN of devastating his business by portraying him in a segment alleging involvement in a “black market” operation charging high prices to evacuate Afghans desperate to escape as the Taliban retook the country.
The lawsuit uncovered previously confidential details of CNN’s financials, indicating the network had posted significant profits: $600 million in 2021, $300 million in 2022, and rebounding slightly to $400 million in 2023.
However, the documents also highlighted a sharp decline in CNN’s revenues, which dropped by $400 million, or 18%, over the three-year span.
