In a decision that blurs the line between news reporting and network self-promotion, CNN has opted to double down on personality-driven coverage with its latest staffing shake-up. CNN has announced that Kaitlan Collins, its rising prime-time star, will return to her roots as the network’s chief White House correspondent while continuing to host her flagship evening program, The Source with Kaitlan Collins. This dual role makes Collins the first CNN anchor to juggle prime-time duties with a high-profile reporting gig at the White House—an impressive feat for a journalist already known for breaking stories and securing headline-grabbing interviews.
Congratulations to @kaitlancollins on her new role as CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent! Read more here:https://t.co/Um8xjVtjQ3 pic.twitter.com/k1Mhjz3WdV
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) November 26, 2024
Collins’s return to the White House beat comes at a pivotal moment as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to reenter the Oval Office. CNN Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson praised Collins’s tenacity and journalistic chops in the network’s official announcement. “Kaitlan is a political journalist of real depth and tenacity who already boasts an amazing record of scoops and exclusive interviews,” Thompson said, calling her “the perfect person to lead coverage of the new Trump White House.”
This isn’t Collins’s first time in the White House hot seat. In 2021, she made history as CNN’s youngest-ever chief White House correspondent, covering the Biden administration with a knack for sharp questions and tough follow-ups. She stepped away from the role in 2022 to co-host CNN’s morning show, later transitioning to prime time in 2023 with The Source, where her incisive style and ability to land major interviews quickly set her apart.
CNN names Kaitlan Collins Chief White House Correspondent for the Trump presidency.
It should be noted that the last time Kaitlan and CNN’s objectivity was brought into question hundreds of the leftist of the left New York City progressives burst into hysterical laughter pic.twitter.com/ZDhD4jykLK— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) November 26, 2024
Her expanded responsibilities reflect CNN’s confidence in her ability to handle the high-stakes combination of anchoring and frontline reporting. Collins’s track record supports the move: from moderating CNN’s 2024 Republican Presidential Town Hall with Trump to interviewing global leaders like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive the news cycle.
As chief White House correspondent, Collins will be front and center during what promises to be a tumultuous second Trump administration. Her dual role also signals CNN’s commitment to doubling down on its political coverage while maintaining its standing in the prime-time ratings race. By keeping Collins at the helm of The Source, CNN ensures that her sharp reporting will continue to shape its coverage across platforms.
Collins’s return to the White House, coupled with her prime-time presence, places her at the forefront of political journalism. Whether reporting from the briefing room or grilling guests on her show, she’s poised to be a dominant force in the next chapter of the Trump era.