Karoline Leavitt brutally cuts off CNN's Kaitlan Collins' follow-up question on Signal chat leak

WASHINGTON DC: Karoline Leavitt appeared undefeated in a brief White House exchange with CNN’s Kaitlin Collins.

This marked the second time that the White House Press Secretary shut down Collins during a news briefing.

On March 26, Collins pressed Leavitt with a follow-up question regarding the use of the messaging app Signal by top national security officials to share sensitive attack plans. The heated exchange, captured on video, quickly went viral on X, sparking widespread discussion.

Karoline Leavitt blows off CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins

During Wednesday's press briefing, the discussion centered around a series of shocking revelations from Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, as per Mediaite.

Goldberg revealed he was mistakenly added to a group chat on the encrypted messaging app Signal, where high-ranking officials from the Trump administration’s national security team, known as the "principals committee," were discussing war plans. The conversation included sensitive strategies related to a potential strike against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

During the briefing, CNN's Kaitlan Collins pressed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on the matter, asking, “Since we have these messages released, and you said that the president has now personally reviewed them."

She added, "In the chat, at one point, Pete Hegseth wrote, ‘1415: Strike Drones on Target,’ and then he wrote in all caps, he said, ‘THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP.’ Does the president feel that he was misled by his national security advisers, whoever it was that him there was no classified information in there, now that he’s seen those messages?”

Leavitt, clearly frustrated by the repeated questioning, responded, “I’ve now been asked and answered this question three times by the both of you, and I’ve given you my answer: the president feels the same today as he did yesterday.”

She called on another reporter while Collins raised her hand, attempting to ask a follow-up question.

“OK, sorry, on my follow-up on what you had just said—” Collins began before being interrupted by Leavitt. “Go ahead, Phillip,” Leavitt quickly interjected, denying Collins the chance to continue. Collins attempted once more, saying, “I have a follow-up, I have a quick—”

But Leavitt cut her off firmly, “Kaitlan, I’m not taking your follow-up — Phillip, go ahead.” Collins tried again. “I have a follow-up on something you just said though, Karoline. That’s...”

Leavitt replied, “Kaitlan, I’m not taking your follow-up. Phillip, go ahead, I’ve called on you.”

Karoline Leavitt's heated exchange with Kailin Collins sparks debate online

As the video of the heated exchange between Karoline Leavitt and CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins circulated online, many internet users swiftly took to social media to share mocking comments about Collins. 

One user mocked, "At this point, I feel like Kaitlan Collins just loves getting burned. President Trump cooked her, and now Karoline Leavitt. She keeps coming back for more, it’s getting embarrassing."

A second user added, "Karoline wasn't letting Kaitlan Collins take over the briefing and shut her a** down 🤣."

A person explained, "Let’s be honest, Kaitlin Collins has never asked a legitimate question. If she did, she would get a legitimate response." 

A user slammed Collins, "Always missing the full context. They asked her the same question 10times but just worded it differently trying to get a different answer."

A commenter praised, "Karoline Leavitt is terrific. Great press secretary. This is one of the most difficult jobs in any administration, and she handles it with grace and aplomb. Good choice by @RealDonaldTrump !!!!!"

Another user shared, "She’s answered the question three times. If Collins asks this question again tomorrow, the answer will be the same. Collins is trying to make a mountain out of a mile hill. I love it that she just moved on to the next reporter."

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