Female Reporter Who Pressed the President Becomes 'Lead Anchor'... Selected by US CNN

Reporter Collins Banned from White House Access by Trump
Anchors CNN 9 PM News... "Grateful for the Opportunity"

Reporter Caitlin Collins, once known as the 'Trump sniper,' will take on the role of anchor for CNN's 9 PM news. Collins was barred from White House press access in 2018 for asking former President Donald Trump inappropriate questions.

On the 17th (local time), CNN reported that Collins, who hosted Trump’s town hall event, will be assigned to the 9 PM news program.

Reporter Caitlin Collins. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Since November last year, Collins has co-hosted the morning news program 'CNN This Morning.' However, with this new appointment, she will take charge of the 9 PM program on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays starting next month.

After firing star anchor Chris Cuomo in December 2021, CNN did not have a fixed host for the 9 PM slot. Cuomo was dismissed for his excessive involvement in covering up sexual misconduct allegations against his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Chris Licht, CNN’s CEO, announced Collins’s promotion in an internal memo, praising her for "pressuring politicians to avoid giving rehearsed answers and drawing out genuine responses." He added, "As anyone who has worked with her knows, she has broken many exclusive stories."

Collins released a statement expressing gratitude, saying, "I am thankful to join CNN’s prime-time lineup, known for sharp interviews, fresh reporting, and thoughtful conversations."

Former U.S. President Donald Trump. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 10th, Collins moderated a town hall-style discussion in New Hampshire where former President Trump answered questions from Republican supporters. A town hall meeting is an event where politicians meet directly with residents to freely exchange opinions on policies and pledges.

During the event, Trump promoted conspiracy theories claiming the 2020 U.S. election was rigged and did not hesitate to mock the victim of a sexual assault case he lost. The unfiltered broadcast of Trump’s remarks sparked criticism directed at CNN.

This appearance marked Trump’s first broadcast on CNN since his 2016 presidential campaign. During his presidency, he labeled CNN as 'fake news' and retaliated against White House reporters, including Collins, by restricting their access for asking uncomfortable questions.

Meanwhile, Collins made headlines for her rapid rise, becoming CNN’s youngest-ever senior White House correspondent at age 28 in 2021.