Politics
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Gets New Gig
Change is the only constant, and CNN appears poised to embrace that maxim as the dawn of Donald Trump’s second presidential term approaches. Sources reveal that the network is actively considering a strategic shift that could redefine its coverage of the White House.
At the heart of this is Kaitlan Collins. As discussions unfold within CNN’s corridors, the proposal on the table is to elevate Collins to the role of chief White House correspondent according to Semafor News. The change would not just be a promotion in title; it entails a physical and strategic relocation of Collins and her programming from New York to the political center of the nation, Washington, D.C.
The move is designed to leverage her extensive network, built through years of rigorous reporting during Trump’s initial tenure and her time with the Daily Caller. Collins, who has been a fixture at CNN and an authoritative voice on Trump-related matters, recently stationed herself in West Palm Beach. From a temporary studio near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home, she has been a figure in reporting on the president-elect’s transition activities.
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While CNN’s leadership has publicly distanced itself from the idea of reverting to the non-stop Trump coverage that characterized previous years, the consideration to spotlight Collins in this role suggests an alignment with the anticipated newsworthiness of Trump’s upcoming administration. The discussions about this significant shift are ongoing. Several sources close to the matter indicated to Semafor that the network has not yet finalized any decisions regarding programming changes or staffing, apart from naming David Chalian as the new D.C. bureau chief. The move to Washington would also signify a full-circle moment for Collins. Her tenure as a White House correspondent for CNN saw several high-profile encounters that brought her significant attention.
One of the most publicized incidents occurred in July 2018, when Collins was barred from a White House press event after she asked questions that were deemed “inappropriate” by the administration. CNN, like other outlets, were often labeled by Trump and his allies as “fake news.”
Once a dominant force in cable news, CNN has also been grappling with a historic slump in ratings, facing its lowest viewership in 24 years and raising the specter of mass layoffs. The network’s decline in viewership comes as it struggles to navigate a changing media landscape dominated by streaming platforms, social media, and a fragmented audience. Since Election Day, CNN has trailed significantly in viewership, averaging just 403,000 total day viewers compared to Fox News’s 2.2 million. In the primetime slot of 8-11 p.m. ET, CNN’s struggles continue, drawing only 483,000 total viewers since the election, while Fox News has attracted a robust 3.4 million.
In terms of viewers from the key demographic, CNN’s performance remains low, with an average of only 86,000 during the total day and 112,000 during primetime, starkly contrasted with Fox News’s 321,000 and 496,000, respectively. CNN’s election night performance was also lackluster, as it fell behind not only Fox News Channel but also MSNBC, ABC, and NBC in covering the year’s most significant news event.
The network’s struggles have triggered discussions of cost-cutting measures, including potential layoffs. CNN has been put in a precarious financial and operational position. According to sources close to the network, these upcoming changes reflect a larger strategy to redefine CNN’s programming approach and restore its competitive edge in an increasingly fractured media landscape.
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