Kaitlan Collins losing support from CNN execs as they ponder whether she's worth the relentless backlash

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: It looks like Kaitlan Collins' star power at CNN might be fading just as fast as it rose.

The 32-year-old anchor was once the golden girl of the network, snagging the coveted 9 pm slot as host of 'The Source'. Now, however, insiders are saying that CNN execs are over the drama and asking themselves whether she's really worth all the heat.

Hollywood insider Rob Shuter spilled the tea on Substack, writing that CNN’s top brass has been "worn down" by the nonstop controversy Collins attracts.

"At first, it was all-in. But now, the vibe has shifted. They're asking if she's worth the constant blowback," a network insider revealed. 

Is Kaitlan Collins too much to handle for CNN?

Kaitlan Collins has never been one to shy away from tough questions, but her recent on-air sparring match with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt might have been the last straw.

During a tense exchange, Collins pressed Leavitt for more answers on the "Signal-gate" scandal—a mess involving Trump administration officials accidentally adding The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg to a private group chat about war plans. The chat included some very high-profile names like Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Leavitt wasn't in the mood to answer and quickly shut Collins down on live TV—a rather awkward moment that CNN bosses reportedly didn’t love.

A former colleague defended Collins. "Kaitlan was doing her job. She asked the right questions. But the problem is, every time she makes headlines, it becomes about her. And CNN execs hate that," they said.

Another network source agreed, saying the constant drama surrounding Collins is overshadowing CNN's actual news coverage—something the higher-ups aren’t thrilled about.

"It's never good when a media host becomes the story. Executives don't want to manage that kind of heat. They want the news to be the focus – not their anchor's next trending clip," the source said. 

And CNN execs are apparently so over the constant damage control that they’re already discussing exit strategies. "They're quietly discussing off-ramps. Not because she's not talented—she is—but because they're tired of playing defense. Right now, cutting their losses is on the table," spilled one insider.

Radar Online noted that CNN has been unusually silent when it comes to defending Collins lately. According to insiders, that silence speaks volumes.

One source even pointed out that the network's lack of response to Collins’ latest slip-ups suggests they’re slowly distancing themselves from their former rising star. "The crickets from CNN say it all," the insider noted.

Kaitlan Collins and the Luigi Mangione mess

Kaitlan Collins recently found herself in hot water over a very questionable social media post.

She reportedly clashed with CNN bosses after she posted a link to a website connected to alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson killer, Luigi Mangione. 

In a now-deleted X (formerly Twitter) post, Collins reported that Mangione’s lawyers had created a website to document his case—but that same website also linked to a fundraising page.

Critics immediately accused Collins of promoting a fundraising effort for an alleged murderer, and the backlash was swift. 

But she quickly hit back. "I posted that his attorneys created a website, which is newsworthy and other outlets have also reported on. In no way did I share a fundraising link for him," she clarified.

CNN tried to downplay the situation, releasing a statement saying Collins’ post was "nothing more than a social post reporting news surrounding the trial."

But behind the scenes, it seems the damage was already done.

One insider didn’t mince words. "Kaitlan's post comes at the worst possible time for CNN. Whatever the circumstances, they don't need any more controversy – and certainly not one linked to Mangione. Her job is now really hanging in the balance. One more slip-up and it looks like she's toast!" they added.