Karoline Leavitt’s Brutal Seven Words for CNN’s Kaitlan Collins During Dramatic Clash

In an intense and dramatic exchange at a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shut down CNN’s Kaitlan Collins with a cold, unyielding response, leaving the room stunned and sparking widespread discussion. The clash centered around the use of the Signal app by Trump officials to communicate regarding a military strike, and Leavitt’s fiery response to Collins’ repeated questioning.

The Tension Begins: Repeated Questions and Growing Frustration

During the briefing, Collins pressed Leavitt on whether President Trump felt “misled” by his national security team, after it was revealed that classified information had allegedly been discussed in the Signal chat, which had been published by The Atlantic after a mistake involving editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg.

Leavitt, clearly frustrated by the line of questioning, responded sharply:

“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.”

But Collins wasn’t ready to let the issue go. She attempted to ask a follow-up question, clearly hoping to dig deeper into the story. However, Leavitt quickly cut her off with an icy, no-nonsense reply:

“Kaitlin, I’m not taking your follow-up.”

The room fell silent.

The Moment That Stunned the Room

Collins tried again, repeating that she had a follow-up question, but Leavitt stood firm.

“Kaitlin, I’m not taking your follow-up,” she reiterated, leaving no room for further debate.

With that, Leavitt moved on to RealClearPolitics reporter Philip Wegman, effectively ending the exchange and forcing the room to shift focus.

This exchange marked one of Leavitt’s most combative moments as Press Secretary, displaying her readiness to shut down the media narrative she deemed unproductive.

Dismissal of the The Atlantic’s Reporting and Personal Attacks

As the questions continued to circle around the Signal app controversy, Leavitt dismissed the entire episode as “word games” and “sensational spin” coming from an “anti-Trump sensationalist reporter,” referencing The Atlantic‘s Goldberg.

“Goldberg is an anti-Trump hater,” Leavitt stated bluntly. She added, “He is a registered Democrat. Goldberg’s wife is also a registered Democrat and a big Democrat donor who used to work under Hillary Clinton.”

This personal attack on Goldberg’s political affiliations underscored Leavitt’s frustration with the way the media, particularly the Atlantic, had framed the Signal incident, turning it into a narrative that, in her eyes, was politically motivated.

Leavitt’s Escalating Frustration: “I’ve Answered This Question”

As the briefing dragged on, Leavitt grew more visibly frustrated. She once again snapped at reporters for continuously asking about the Signal chat scandal, reiterating that she had already answered the same questions multiple times, albeit with different phrasing.

“I have now been asked and answered the same question using different language multiple times,” she said, her voice becoming more resolute. “If anybody has another question, there’s a lot of different things going on in the world.”

This pointed remark was a clear indication that Leavitt was ready to move on, urging the press to focus on the broader issues, rather than getting stuck on a single controversy. She even previewed a new announcement from President Trump later that day on tariffs, attempting to steer the conversation in a different direction.

Defending the National Security Team and Shifting the Focus

Leavitt also took the opportunity to defend Trump’s trust in his national security team, despite the controversy surrounding the Signal chat. She emphasized that the president continued to have “great trust” in his team, signaling that the use of the app and the discussion of classified information should not overshadow the team’s overall competence and efforts.

“We are not going to be lectured about national security and American troops by Democrats and the mainstream media who turned the other cheek when the Biden administration, because of their incompetence, left 13 service members dead in Afghanistan and not a single person in the previous administration was held accountable for that botched withdrawal,” Leavitt fired back, reminding the room of the widely criticized handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan during the Biden administration.

Her sharp retort not only redirected the conversation but also underscored the administration’s stance on media criticism, particularly when it came to issues of national security.

The Briefing Ends Early: A Clear Statement from Leavitt

Finally, as the briefing neared its conclusion, Leavitt abruptly ended the session.

“I would hate to counter program the Vice President of the United States,” she quipped, explaining that she needed to wrap up the briefing before Vice President JD Vance began speaking at a military base in Quantico, Virginia.

The remark added an element of finality to the briefing, signaling to reporters that the time for questioning had come to an end.

The Aftershock: Social Media Reacts

The fallout from this dramatic exchange has dominated social media, with commentators across the political spectrum offering their reactions. Many on the conservative side praised Leavitt for standing her ground, applauding her no-nonsense approach in the face of persistent questioning.

“She didn’t raise her voice, but she ended the conversation,” one Twitter user commented, echoing the sentiments of many who admired Leavitt’s ability to maintain composure while putting an end to a line of questioning she deemed unproductive.

On the other hand, critics accused Leavitt of shutting down legitimate inquiries and stifling the press. Some argued that her confrontational stance was a troubling sign of an administration unwilling to engage with difficult questions.

Conclusion: Leavitt’s Showdown with Doocy Marks a Turning Point

This confrontation between Karoline Leavitt and Kaitlan Collins was more than just a typical press briefing exchange—it was a defining moment for the administration’s approach to the media. Leavitt’s calculated deflection of questions, sharp retorts, and firm stance made it clear that the Trump administration was prepared to defend its policies and push back against what it viewed as unfair media scrutiny.

For the media, it was a reminder that press briefings under this administration would not be easy. Leavitt, it seems, is ready to challenge the narrative and assert her authority whenever necessary. Whether this will serve to bolster the administration’s position or alienate the press further remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Karoline Leavitt is a force to be reckoned with.