By CNN can’t get out of its own way. Kaitlan Collins, CNN’s White House Correspondent, is under scrutiny after posting—and later deleting—a tweet that promoted the legal defense fund of Luigi Mangione, the man accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The tweet directed attention to a newly launched website where Mangione’s defense team is soliciting donations for his legal expenses.
The fundraising website, unveiled in a Valentine’s Day statement from Mangione’s legal team, features a message attributed to him, explained Hot Air. “I am deeply moved and grateful for the support I have received,” he wrote, claiming that letters of encouragement have come from people across political, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. He also expressed his commitment to reading every letter he receives.
Here’s the deleted post. pic.twitter.com/lWbr9EwwA1
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) February 15, 2025
Collins’s decision to amplify the defense fund ignited a swift backlash. Many questioned why a White House correspondent, who does not cover the case, would publicly highlight the fundraiser. Others speculated whether her tweet signaled tacit approval of Mangione’s actions or if she was simply aiding a CNN colleague reportedly involved in his defense.
The criticism was immediate. Social media erupted with condemnation, pressuring Collins to remove the post. However, deleting the tweet did little to temper the outrage. Some critics accused her of helping to frame Mangione as a political symbol rather than focusing on the legal complexities of his case.
Mangione’s murdering of a CEO in cold blood has revealed how deranged the left has become over the past few years. Prosecutors have portrayed him as a calculated murderer, while certain progressive groups have rallied around him, casting him as a figure of resistance against corporate power. His manifesto, in which he takes full responsibility for the assassination, has further fueled debate on both legal and ideological fronts.
The news channel has an interest in promoting Mangione’s story. The alleged murderer’s defense lawyer is a CNN contributor, which Collins conveniently forgot to mention when she promoted the website.
Kaitlan Collins omits the fact that Mangione’s defense attorney, the same one behind this website she is promoting, is a CNN contributor. https://t.co/6bsfXXFIb0 pic.twitter.com/HiBYGhJr23
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) February 15, 2025
In November, CNN turned to Collins in an effort to regain relevance, naming her chief White House correspondent while allowing her to keep her primetime show, The Source with Kaitlan Collins. This dual appointment underscored the network’s attempt to recalibrate its approach as it prepared for Donald Trump’s return to the White House, aiming to strike a balance between rigorous political coverage and the breathless, wall-to-wall reporting that had defined its approach during his first term.
CNN has not publicly addressed Collins’ tweet or clarified whether her actions align with the network’s journalistic standards. The news channel has gone all in on Collins.
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