Kaitlan Collins and Anderson Cooper’s jobs may be at risk as CNN eyes layoffs after 2024 election

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: CNN anchors Kaitlan Collins and Anderson Cooper's jobs might be at risk as the media outlet is planning to lay off some of its high-paid staff after dismal election ratings that cap off a disastrous period for the media house.

The network executives will unleash a culling process in a bid to save the network's flailing reputation, according to an explosive report from Puck. 

Kaitlan Collins and Anderson Cooper's jobs could be at risk

The laying off comes after the departure of Chris Wallace, and amid reports that senior stars like Wolf Blitzer and Jake Tapper have both been denied raises, per the outlet.

Interestingly, there is no mention of who may be on the chopping block. The highest paid stars currently at CNN are Anderson Cooper, who rakes in $20 million a year, Erin Burnett ($6 million), and rising star Kaitlan Collins ($3 million). 

Puck's Dylan Byers wrote in the report on Friday, November 8, "In the next few months, I’m told, CNN will implement another round of layoffs that will impact hundreds of employees across the organization."

An insider informed the outlet that the fresh round of firings will be more focused on the production side of things. Reporters and correspondents will have to cover their slack and on-air workers will be "asked to assume more of the responsibilities once handled by teams of producers and production assistants", the source said.

CNN's ratings fall more than 20 percent

CNN has seen its ratings drop ever since the 2020 election cycle, but it worsened when CEO Mark Thompson stepped in back in 2023.

Since he took over the leadership, ratings have fallen more than 20 percent, according to the Daily Mail. However, he is trying to move toward a more digital-friendly platform, which would mean hiring new people in different roles.

However, that won't happen without a general shaking of the tree and big names like Cooper and Collins just might be on the chopping block as well, per the outlet.

CNN staffers 'deeply frustrated' as layoffs set to hit them

CNN staffers are bracing for impact in 2025 as significant budget cuts and layoffs are likely to rock the entire media network. A longtime CNN staffer told Fox News Digital, "I am overall very sad and deeply frustrated."

The staffer continued, "Feelings which are pervasive throughout the organization among those who have been here a long time and feel a deep personal connection to having helped build the organization."

The CNN source stated that the layoffs would be implemented "by March" and that they would be "very meaningful" to the rank and file at the network, per Fox News.

The CNN staffer said, "It's a time of a complete and utter business model overhaul and chaos. Extremely difficult even under the best circumstances."