CNN’s top executives are considering promoting primetime anchor Kaitlan Collins to the position of chief White House correspondent as the network faces challenges in its coverage of the incoming Trump administration. Collins, who currently hosts “The Source with Kaitlan Collins” at 9 p.m. on weekdays, may relocate her show to Washington, D.C., at least part-time, according to a report from Semafor. The decision is still under discussion between CNN CEO Mark Thompson and senior staff, with the hope that the move will enhance Collins’ ability to tap into her sources within Trump’s White House.
However, there are speculations from a veteran TV source suggesting that CNN, which is looking to cut costs, may drop Collins as a primetime anchor if she assumes the new role. The source pointed out that Collins’ show, which debuted in July 2023, has struggled with ratings, averaging only 629,000 viewers in its first year. After the election, viewership declined further, hovering between 430,000 to 565,000 viewers. The source added that her reported $3 million salary could be a factor in the decision.
In an effort to streamline expenses, CNN has recently cut back on high-cost shows. For instance, Chris Wallace, who earned $7 million annually, had his show canceled after low ratings. Wallace ultimately left the network when he was offered a position as an analyst with a significant pay reduction. Other anchors, such as Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer, were also denied raises.
If Collins is appointed to the chief White House correspondent role, she would move her show to Washington D.C., hosting from there while continuing her reporting. Collins has covered Trump’s first administration and has previously worked for the conservative-leaning Daily Caller.
In recent weeks, Collins has been reporting from West Palm Beach, near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, breaking news about the president-elect’s transition. The 32-year-old anchor has steadily risen through CNN ranks, moving from a White House reporter to co-host of “CNN This Morning,” a show that was ultimately canceled after low ratings. Collins’ success in securing a 9 p.m. timeslot marked a major breakthrough in her career.
However, CNN may still face challenges in balancing its coverage of Trump, as CEO Mark Thompson has made it clear that the network should not focus excessively on anti-Trump narratives. He emphasized that there are many significant stories beyond the political sphere that the network should cover. This direction suggests that CNN will attempt to strike a balance in its coverage, despite the polarizing nature of Trump’s presidency.
The future of Kaitlan Collins at CNN remains uncertain as the network grapples with decisions that could impact both its personnel and its approach to covering the new administration.