By Treating CNN Like The Fake News It Is, Doug Collins Shows Republicans How To Handle Media Hacktivists
Doug Collins' takedown of CNN's Kaitlin Collins is exactly how all Republicans should treat dishonest and disingenuous media hacktivistsDoug Collins' takedown of CNN's Kaitlin Collins is exactly how all Republicans should treat dishonest and disingenuous media hacktivistsCNN host won't stop asking about about group chat, so VA Sec. Doug Collins goes on the warpath
The liberal media, like the Democratic Party, has struggled in recent months to manufacture a Russia collusion-grade narrative capable of embarrassing or hindering the Trump administration.
This explains their excitement over the Atlantic's Monday story concerning a liberal propagandist's accidental inclusion in a top-level group chat concerning a military operation — a blunder that the man responsible, national security adviser Mike Waltz, ultimately admitted was "embarrassing."
In the grips of this excitement, CNN talking head Kaitlan Collins proved almost incapable Wednesday evening of discussing anything else with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, who was not part of the group chat and had virtually nothing to do with the matter.
Unwilling to indulge the CNN host's desire to gossip or to go on the defensive, Sec. Doug Collins turned the tables, set the agenda, and hammered the liberal network over its apparent mistreatment of veterans.
At the outset of the interview, the CNN host said, "You served in the Navy and the Air Force. How would you have felt if information like this was talked about, in an unclassified group chat, if a Navy fighter pilot is in the air?"
'Since you undoubtedly do not want to talk about the VA, I have a question.'
"I think the president and those involved in the chat, which I was not involved in the chat, have explained that. I trust the president's opinion on that. I trust what's been going on," said Sec. Collins. "Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. And my opinion is that my job is to take care of veterans in this country, as they come out of service, and that's what I'm going to continue to do."
The CNN host did not take the hint and kept asking the VA secretary about the group chat controversy.
"Kaitlan, as I've just told you, I've just answered the question. I wasn't part of it," said Sec. Collins. "And I'm not going to speculate more than what the president's already talked about and those who have been involved have talked about, but would love to talk about the veterans."
The CNN host asked once again about the Signal group chat, evidently stretching Sec. Collins' patience to its limit.
"Since you undoubtedly do not want to talk about the VA, I have a question, as VA secretary," said Sec. Collins. "I want to ask you — because I've been curious about this, because my job is to take care of veterans — and I would like to know why CNN is hostile to veterans, especially one in Florida where you just had a $5 million defamation suit, taking offense at a veteran who was trying to help people. In fact, one of your employees actually said, 'We're going to nail him.'"
Sec. Collins was referring to CNN's costly smear of Navy veteran Zachary Young, whom the liberal network falsely accused in a 2021 "The Lead with Jake Tapper" segment of illegally participating in a "black market" for exfiltration services in Afghanistan after the Biden administration's disastrous military withdrawal.
In January, a jury in Florida ordered the network to pay $5 million for its defamatory segment, reported the New York Times. Before the jury had a chance to award more punitive damages in the case, CNN reportedly settled for an undisclosed sum.
During the trial, the jury saw internal CNN communications in which CNN chief national security correspondent Alexander Marquardt stated, "We gonna nail this Zachary Young."
'You want to talk about everything else.'
Sec. Collins asked the CNN host Wednesday, "Is that employee still employed? Are you really concerned about veterans?"
"If we don't want to talk about veterans now, and you want to talk about everything else, I'd like to hear from CNN, as the veteran Cabinet secretary, why CNN seems to have a problem with veterans?" continued Sec. Collins.
The CNN talking head desperately tried to take control of the conversation, but Sec. Collins did not let up.
"Answer my question, Kaitlan," said the secretary.
When the answers failed to materialize, Sec. Collins indicated again that his preference was to discuss veterans and their priorities rather than to join her in idle speculation.
The CNN host then unironically stated in reference to the secretary's questions about CNN's defamation of a veteran that she had no involvement in the matter he was interested in discussing.
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Veterans Affairs Ends Distribution Of Taxpayer-Funded Chemical Castration Drugs
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced plans to 'phase out' distributing chemical castration drugs to trans-identifying veterans.VA will no longer offer fake breasts, dilators, other sex-change ‘prosthetics’ to end gender ideology
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Monday that it would "phase out" offering "gender-affirming prosthetics" and cross-sex hormones, citing President Donald Trump's executive order directing the federal government to eradicate gender ideology.
The executive action, "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," recognized two sexes that are "not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality."
'They can do so on their own dime.'
The VA's Monday announcement explained that the department is "adjusting its policies to fully comply with the EO," which includes no longer providing veterans with "cross-sex hormone therapy" or "any other medical or surgical therapy for gender dysphoria to any patients in any circumstance."
The VA stated that it never provided "sex-change surgeries." However, in addition to cross-sex hormones, it has offered voice training and "so-called gender-affirming prosthetics, including breast forms, chest binders, dilator sets for post-vaginoplasty, packers, surgical compression vests, and wigs."
Veterans already receiving cross-sex hormones will not be impacted by the change.
The VA noted that those with gender dysphoria can continue to receive preventive and mental health care.
"Any and all savings VA achieves by stopping specific medical treatments for gender dysphoria will be redirected to help severely injured VA beneficiaries — such as paralyzed Veterans and amputees — regain their independence," the press release read.
VA Secretary Doug Collins stated, "I mean no disrespect to anyone, but VA should not be focused on helping Veterans attempt to change their sex. The vast majority of Veterans and Americans agree, and that is why this is the right decision."
"All eligible Veterans — including trans-identified Veterans — will always be welcome at VA and will always receive the benefits and services they've earned under the law. But if Veterans want to attempt to change their sex, they can do so on their own dime," he added.
Over the weekend, Collins was questioned about the Department of Government Efficiency's efforts to trim waste and bureaucracy within the VA.
"At the end of the day, I'm gonna make decisions best for my employees and best for the veterans, and they're giving us some good advice, looking with fresh eyes," Collins stated.
"We're going to do everything we possibly can to make sure that the veteran experience gets better," Collins said, noting that it is the "biggest issue" the VA faces.
Since Trump took office, the VA has already opened four new clinics.
"As government union bosses, the legacy media, and some in Congress have been spreading false rumors of health care and benefits cuts at VA, we've opened multiple brand-new clinics that will serve tens of thousands of veterans," Collins remarked.
"Don't believe the fake news," he added.
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‘Innuendo And Rumor Stories’: VA Secretary Collins Blasts Media Hacktivist’s Anti-DOGE Hatchet Job
First, it was ABC’s Martha Raddatz. Then, it was CBS’s Margaret Brennan. And now, Military.com’s Patricia Kime is the latest member of the propaganda press to get a well-deserved scolding from the Trump administration for masquerading her left-wing activism as reporting. The moment came during a newly released sit-down exchange between Kime and Veterans Affairs […]Senate Confirms Doug Collins As America’s Next Veterans Affairs Secretary
In a bipartisan vote, the U.S. Senate voted on Tuesday to confirm former Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., as the next secretary of Veterans Affairs. The final vote was 77-23. “Congratulations to Doug Collins on being confirmed as Secretary of Veterans Affairs!” the America First Policy Institute wrote on X. “A veteran, leader, and fighter for […]Democrats Hijack Doug Collins’ Confirmation Hearing To Push Extreme Abortion Agenda
'We will be looking at that issue when I get in there to confirm that the VA is actually following the law.'What's next for Trump's Cabinet nominees?
Now that President Donald Trump has been officially inaugurated, the Senate will continue the confirmation process to solidify his Cabinet.
Most recently, former Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on Monday to serve as secretary of state. He was sworn in on Tuesday morning, the day after Trump's historic inauguration.
Rubio was the first of Trump's Cabinet to be officially confirmed, but several other nominees have already begun their confirmation process. Most notably, Pete Hegseth, who was tapped to head the Department of Defense, Pam Bondi, who was nominated for attorney general, and Kristi Noem, who was recruited to lead the Department of Homeland Security, all made headlines during their confirmation hearings last week.
'While some nominees are well on their way to confirmation, others are still awaiting their hearings.'
After going through their confirmation hearings, the nominees will face the next procedural hurdle in the Senate: committee votes. Trump's treasury nominee, Scott Bessent, will be up for a committee vote on Tuesday and is expected to be confirmed.
Hegseth, Noem, John Ratcliffe, who was nominated to be director of the CIA, and Russell Vought, who was nominated for director of the Office of Management and Budget, all made it through their respective Senate committee votes on Monday. Ratcliffe is expected to be next in line for his confirmation vote.
While some nominees are well on their way to confirmation, others are still awaiting their hearings, like Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, Trump's nominee for U.N. ambassador. Stefanik made her confirmation debut on Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, and she is projected to be on the glide path to confirmation.
Doug Collins, Trump's nominee to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, is also facing his first confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
After committees vote to approve a nominee, the nomination then moves to the Senate for a full vote. Many of those Senate votes have not yet been scheduled.
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What you need to know about Trump's Cabinet picks
President-elect Donald Trump has officially selected all 15 Cabinet nominees less than three weeks since he won the election.
Trump has selected several MAGA-aligned nominees to serve as his closest advisers in the upcoming administration. Although they have the president-elect's support, these nominees will still need to secure the Senate's approval.
With the incoming 53-seat Republican Senate majority, Trump's nominees can afford to lose only three votes during the confirmation process, assuming Vice President-elect JD Vance also participates in the vote. Some candidates are expected to breeze through the confirmation process, while others may be facing an uphill battle.
Here is what you need to know about all of Trump's Cabinet nominations.
Marco Rubio
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) was tapped by Trump to serve as secretary of state in the upcoming administration, requiring Senate approval. Rubio was first elected to the Senate in 2010 and even ran against Trump in the Republican presidential primary in 2016. During his time in the Senate, Rubio has put forth an aggressive foreign policy agenda toward China, Iran, and Venezuela, which appeared to be a big selling point for Trump.
"Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom," Trump said in a statement. "He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries."
Scott Bessent
Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent was nominated by Trump to lead the Treasury Department in the upcoming administration. Bessent, who founded the investment firm Key Square Capital Management, has served as a close economic policy adviser to Trump over the last year. Bessent has also advocated for reducing government subsidies, slashing regulations, lowering taxes, increasing tariffs, and prioritizing American energy independence. Also worth noting, the Dow Jones jumped over 400 points after Trump announced Bessent's nomination.
"As a lifelong Champion of Main Street America and American Industry, Scott will support my Policies that will drive U.S. Competitiveness, and stop unfair Trade imbalances, work to create an Economy that places Growth at the forefront, especially through our coming World Energy Dominance," Trump said in a statement.
Pete Hegseth
Pete Hegseth, a Fox News personality and veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, was recruited by Trump to lead the Department of Defense. Hegseth has been a contributor on Fox since 2014, with much of his commentary relating to the military. Hegseth has embraced an America First foreign policy and has aligned himself with Trump, emphasizing the importance of a strong military.
"Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First," Trump said in a statement. "With Pete at the helm, America's enemies are on notice - Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down."
Pam Bondi
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was nominated by Trump to serve as attorney general after his first nominee, former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, withdrew his bid. Gaetz met with senators early last week regarding his looming confirmation but later decided to drop out, saying he was "unfairly becoming a distraction" for the Trump transition team.
Bondi has extensive experience in the legal field and has served as a longtime Trump ally, defending the then-president during his first impeachment trial. Trump's primary reason for nominating Bondi for the position appears to be to address the federal weaponization of the DOJ against him and his allies.
"For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore," Trump said in a statement. "Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again."
Doug Burgum
Former Republican presidential candidate and current North Dakota Gov. Dough Burgum was tapped by Trump to serve as secretary of the interior. If confirmed, Burgum would be in charge of managing natural resources like oil and water. Trump has long advocated for American energy independence and dominance, which would be revitalized through increased fracking and decreased federal regulation, both of which Burgum has advocated for.
"This Council will oversee the path to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE by cutting red tape, enhancing private sector investments across all sectors of the Economy, and by focusing on INNOVATION over longstanding, but totally unnecessary, regulation," Trump said in a statement.
"Doug Burgum will protect our Nation's Natural Resources, restore our fabulous Oil and Gas advantage, and Make America, and its Energy, Dominant and Great Again!" Trump continued.
Brooke Rollins
Brooke Rollins, former Trump White House policy adviser and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, was selected by Trump to head the Department of Agriculture. Rollins served in crucial roles during the first Trump administration and went on to found the AFPI, a think tank that championed Trump's agenda. In addition to her years of political experience, Rollins has extensive experience and an educational background in agriculture and farming.
“Brooke’s commitment to support the American farmer, defense of American food self-sufficiency and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none,” Trump said in a statement.
"As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, who are truly the backbone of our Country," Trump continued.
Howard Lutnick
American businessman Howard Lutnick was recruited by Trump to serve as secretary of commerce in the upcoming administration. Lutnick is currently the chief executive of the financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald and has been an economic adviser to the Trump campaign and the transition team. Like Bessent, he has been an advocate for increasing tariffs, cutting taxes, and promoting American energy independence and dominance.
"He will lead our Tariff and Trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative," Trump said in a statement. "In his role as Co-Chair of the Trump-Vance Transition Team, Howard has created the most sophisticated process and system to assist us in creating the greatest Administration America has ever seen."
Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon was tapped by Trump to lead the Department of Labor. Chavez-DeRemer, who recently lost her re-election bid, has notably earned the endorsement of powerful unions like the Teamsters. As a more moderate member of the GOP conference, Chavez-DeRemer has been criticized for voting in favor of legislation that emboldens unions and weakens businesses.
"Lori has worked tirelessly with both Business and Labor to build America's workforce, and support the hardworking men and women of America," Trump said in a statement. "I look forward to working with her to create tremendous opportunity for American Workers, to expand Training and Apprenticeships, to grow wages and improve working conditions, to bring back our Manufacturing jobs."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was nominated to serve as secretary of health and human services in the upcoming Trump administration. Kennedy rose to political prominence when he ran for president in 2024 as a Democrat before switching his party affiliation to independent. Kennedy eventually dropped out and endorsed Trump in August, leading the effort to unify political figures across the political spectrum behind Trump. Prior to running for office, Kennedy was an environmental lawyer who had spoken out against pharmaceutical companies and advocated for more transparency in the medical and health industries.
"For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," Trump said in a statement. "The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country."
Scott Turner
Former Republican Rep. Scott Turner of Texas was nominated by Trump to serve as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The NFL player turned politico also served in the first Trump administration, working closely alongside then-HUD Secretary Ben Carson. Scott is the founder and CEO of the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council, a foundation that works to revitalize American communities.
"Scott is an NFL Veteran, who, during my First Term, served as the First Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC), helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country's most distressed communities," Trump said in a statement.
Sean Duffy
Former Republican Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin was selected by Trump to lead the Department of Transportation. Duffy originally served in Congress from 2011 to 2019, resigning from his post to focus on his family ahead of the birth of his ninth child. Duffy is now a host on Fox Business, alongside his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, who also hosts a show on Fox. Throughout his career, Duffy has been a staunch supporter of and ally to the president-elect.
"Sean will use his experience and the relationships he has built over many years in Congress to maintain and rebuild our Nation's Infrastructure, and fulfill our Mission of ushering in The Golden Age of Travel, focusing on Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation," Trump said in a statement. "Importantly, he will greatly elevate the Travel Experience for all Americans!"
Chris Wright
Chris Wright, the CEO of Liberty Energy, has been nominated by Trump to serve as secretary of the Department of Energy in the upcoming administration. Wright has been a longtime supporter of the oil and gas industry, advocating for fracking as a key component of America's prospective energy independence. The entrepreneur also vowed to reduce energy regulations in order for America to strengthen its energy dominance.
"Chris has been a leading technologist and entrepreneur in Energy. He has worked in Nuclear, Solar, Geothermal, and Oil and Gas," Trump said in a statement. "Most significantly, Chris was one of the pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution that fueled American Energy Independence, and transformed the Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics."
Linda McMahon
Linda McMahon, the former head of the Small Business Administration, was recruited by Trump to serve in his second administration as the secretary of the Department of Education. McMahon has both political and entrepreneurial experience and has been a strong advocate for parents' rights and reforming the education system. Notably, McMahon was also a former professional wrestler and is married to Vince McMahon, the former CEO of the WWE.
"For the past four years, as the Chair of the Board at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), Linda has been a fierce advocate for Parents' Rights, working hard at both AFPI and America First Works (AFW) to achieve Universal School Choice in 12 States, giving children the opportunity to receive an excellent Education, regardless of zip code or income," Trump said in a statement. "As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand 'Choice' to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families."
Doug Collins
Former Republican representative and Air Force veteran Doug Collins of Georgia was nominated by Trump to serve as secretary of veterans affairs. Collins has also been a longtime political ally of the president-elect, becoming one of Trump's strongest defenders during the 2019 impeachment inquiry.
"Doug is a Veteran himself, who currently serves our Nation as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command, and fought for our Country in the Iraq War," Trump said in a statement. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Service members, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need."
Kristi Noem
Republican Gov. Kristi Norm of South Dakota was nominated by the president-elect for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Noem, who has served as governor since 2020, has long been a Trump loyalist whose name was even floated for vice president. As the head of the DHS, Noem would be at the forefront of immigration policy and enforcement and have the ability to help implement his popular MAGA mandate.
"Kristi has been very strong on Border Security," Trump said in a statement. "She was the first Governor to send National Guard Soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden Border Crisis, and they were sent a total of eight times. She will work closely with 'Border Czar' Tom Homan to secure the Border, and will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries."
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