CNN names Kaitlan Collins, 31, as new anchor of coveted 9 p.m. slot a week after Trump’s town hall
CNN names Kaitlan Collins, 31, as new anchor of coveted 9 p.m. slot a week after Trump’s town hall
- Collins joined CNN in 2017 as a White House reporter and has enjoyed a strong rise
- She hosted Trump’s City Hall last week, which drew 3.3 million viewers
CNN has promoted Kaitlan Collins to anchor the coveted 9 p.m. slot, a week after her controversial town hall meeting with Donald Trump.
In an announcement today, Chair Chris Licht said: ‘She is a smart and gifted journalist whom we have all seen held to account by legislators and newsmakers.
“She pushes politicians off their talking points, gets real answers – and as anyone who has worked with her knows – she brings a lot of news.”
Trump’s City Hall sparked immediate controversy and criticism.
The former president’s supporters – who dominated the live audience – cheered and clapped when he spoke over Collins, calling her an “annoying person.”
CNN has promoted Kaitlan Collins to anchor the coveted 9 p.m. slot, a week after her controversial town hall with Donald Trump
Collins hosted Trump’s New Hampshire City Hall last week
Many said she was “unprepared” and given an “impossible task” by CNN bosses.
Others were furious with CNN for giving it a platform.
Messy as it was, the hour-long special shattered CNN’s ratings average.
Some 3.3 million tuned in – five times the normal number.
Collins said nothing about the controversy, leading Licht to silence internal detractors.
During the morning call last Thursday, he warned, “You don’t have to like the former president’s answers, but you can’t say we didn’t get them.
While we may all have been uncomfortable hearing people clapping, that was also an important part of the story because the people in that audience represent a large part of America.
The mistake the media has made in the past is to ignore that those people exist, just as you can’t ignore that President Trump exists.
Collins was hired by Jeff Zucker in 2017 after working for the right-wing Daily Caller, a website founded by Tucker Carlson
Sharp rise: She became chief White House correspondent after the 2020 election and was named co-host of the ill-fated CNN This Morning last year as part of Licht’s overhaul. She clashed with co-host Don Lemon (pictured)
“I believe absolutely unequivocally that America has been very well served by what we did last night.”
At 31, Collins is one of the youngest prime-time anchors in American television history.
The new role rounds out her meteoric rise through CNN. She is CNN’s first permanent 9 p.m. anchor since Chris Cuomo, who was fired in late 2021.
Collins was hired by Jeff Zucker in 2017 after working for the right-wing Daily Caller, a website founded by Tucker Carlson.
Her on-camera feuds with Trump during his presidency won her notoriety and fans.
She became chief White House correspondent after the 2020 election and was named co-host of the ill-fated CNN This Morning last year as part of Licht’s overhaul.
The show is marred by problems.
Formerly one of the network’s biggest stars, Don Lemon was fired over a series of sexist remarks and after butting heads with Collins on set.
Cuomo has now moved to NewsNation.
He was fired by CNN for colluding with his brother, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, when he fought a sexual harassment scandal.
Collins said of her new role, “I’m grateful and excited to be part of CNN’s primetime lineup for a new show featuring sharp interviews, new coverage and thoughtful conversations about the most important stories driving the news cycle.”
“I am so thankful for my friend and co-anchor Poppy and will be cheering on the CNN This Morning team every day.”
Collins is CNN’s first permanent 9 p.m. anchor since Chris Cuomo, who was fired in late 2021