Meghan McCain has called for CNN’s Chief White House correspondent, Kaitlan Collins, to have her press credentials revoked, labeling her an “absolute idiot” and a “pure partisan hack.” This outburst followed a heated exchange during a White House press briefing.
McCain’s criticism stemmed from a confrontation Collins had with National Intelligence Director Tarshi Gabbard and White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt. On a separate note, the briefing also introduced newly declassified documents that support former President Donald Trump’s long-standing claim that ex-President Barack Obama committed “treason” by manipulating intelligence regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Collins confronted Gabbard, questioning the timing of the document release and its potential political motivations. She highlighted past criticisms from Trump regarding Gabbard’s evaluations of intelligence reports, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Earlier this year, Trump had indeed dismissed Gabbard’s claim that Iran was not pursuing nuclear weapons, ordering strikes on Iranian facilities instead.
During the briefing, Collins probed Gabbard further, asking, “What do you say to people who think you’re releasing these documents to curry favor with the president after your intelligence assessments have been criticized?” Gabbard responded by challenging the premise of the question.
Leavitt defended the administration and criticized prior intelligence reports, stating, “The only people suggesting that the Director of National Intelligence is publishing evidence for political gain are right here in this room.” She expressed confidence in Gabbard, noting the president’s trust in her abilities.
Collins maintained her position, referencing Trump’s past comments that undermined Gabbard’s credibility regarding Iran. McCain reacted to these exchanges on social media, expressing her discontent.
Interestingly, McCain’s trajectory regarding Gabbard has shifted from criticism to a more supportive stance recently.
The discussion highlighted the ongoing tension over Russian interference in the 2016 election, with Collins questioning Gabbard about statements made by Marco Rubio, which claimed no conspiracy was found but confirmed Russian interference.
Leavitt reiterated that they had evidence of this interference, dismissing narratives that suggested the intelligence community was fabricating stories. She referenced the Steele dossier, framing it as misinformation linked to the Clinton campaign.
This article is awaiting a comment from CNN regarding the incident.
Collins’ questioning style has consistently been a point of contention among Trump officials. Earlier in the year, her tough questions regarding a deportation case led Trump to label her as “nasty,” illustrating the fraught relationship between the White House and the press.
