Trump shuts down CNN’s Kaitlan Collins over Signal group chat leak question: 'I didn't pick you'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump cut off CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins before she could ask him a question during a press briefing in the White House on Tuesday, March 25, reported the New York Post.

Collins began speaking but was interrupted by the POTUS, indicating her question was likely about the national security data breach involving top officials using the Signal messaging app to discuss war plans.

The scandal came to light on Monday after Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed that he was mistakenly added to a secret group chat between high-ranking officials as well as Vice President JD Vance, where they allegedly discussed an upcoming military strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The White House has since acknowledged that the leak has taken place.

Donald Trump slams Kaitlan Collins during press briefing

Kaitlan Collins attempted to pose a question for Trump during the press briefing following his meeting with ambassadors at the White House on Tuesday.

"Mr President, you said that your national security learned a lesson after a reporter...,” began Collins, but stopped mid-sentence as the incumbent interjected, "Excuse me, I didn’t pick you.”

The POTUS went ahead to point at another reporter in the hall and said, "Go ahead."

Taking to the social media platform X, Collins shared a clip that showed Trump ignoring a second question from the reporter in the same meeting.

"President Trump declines to answer when I asked who told him there was no classified information in the group chat about strike plans on Yemen. 'Another question, please,'" she wrote in the caption.

On Monday, Trump initially claimed he was unaware of the sensitive chat leak when questioned by a reporter.

However, on Tuesday morning, he defended his National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz — who allegedly added The Atlantic's Goldberg to the chat group — calling the error merely a “glitch.”

Donald Trump's previous jibes against Kaitlan Collins

The 78-year-old commander-in-chief has reportedly engaged in multiple confrontations with Kaitlan Collins during his second term in the White House.

According to the New York Post, Collins had pressed Trump about his relationship with the Russian president during a meeting in the Oval Office.

"I believe that President Putin — when I spoke to him yesterday, I mean, I know him very well — yeah, I think he wants peace. I think he would tell me if he didn’t," said Trump, with Collin interrupting him with, "Do you trust President Putin?”

It prompted the incumbent to question the journalist and her network's credibility, saying, "I know (Biden is) a friend of yours. He’s a friend of CNN. That’s why nobody watches CNN anymore. Because they have no credibility."

Earlier, Collins went after the POTUS for linking Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies to a collision between a passenger jet and a military plane in Washington on January 29.

"Does it comfort (the victims’) family to hear you blaming DEI policies?” she asked at the time, with Trump replying, "I think that’s not a very smart question. I’m surprised, coming from you.”

MAGA cheers Donald Trump cutting off Kaitlan Collins

Netizens, especially conservatives on the social media platform X, cheered for Trump as he slammed Collins during the press briefing. The following tweets showcase their reactions.

"Treating her the way she should be treated," wrote a user.

"I’m glad he’s finally ignoring the haters," shared another.

"It's like watching an episode of The Apprentice, except better," quipped a third.

"Finally ~ Collins learns she ain't running the show," jibed a fourth.

A fifth claimed Trump was 'savage' in his remark with a gif.

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