Tensions flared during Wednesday’s White House press briefing as CNN’s Kaitlan Collins clashed with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt over the administration’s handling of a leaked Signal chat containing secret war plans.
The controversy stems from a report earlier this week in The Atlantic, which alleged that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth inadvertently shared sensitive military information in a group chat that included a journalist who was mistakenly added. Despite the administration’s denial that any classified material was disclosed, The Atlantic later published messages showing Hegseth had revealed the exact times of planned American missile strikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
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Pressed by Collins on whether the administration still stood by its claim that no classified information was shared, Leavitt grew visibly frustrated. “I’ve been asked and answered the same question several times,” she responded. “The president feels the same today as he did yesterday.”
When Collins requested a follow-up, Leavitt abruptly refused to engage. “I’m not taking your follow-up,” Leavitt snapped. “I have a follow-up on something you just said, Karoline,” Collins replied, pressing forward. Leavitt remained firm: “Kaitlan, I’m not taking your follow-up. Philip, go ahead.”
Following the heated exchange, CNN anchor Boris Sanchez addressed the situation on air, pointing out that the White House had announced potential new auto tariffs during the briefing—a move some interpreted as an attempt to distract from the growing scandal.
“We’re being told by our reporters that markets started trending downward,” Sanchez said. “Yes, it appears that the White House is trying to counterprogram this story.”
Turning to Collins, Sanchez added, “I found it interesting, first, that she rejected your question and said that she had already answered it, even though she didn’t directly address the substance of what you were asking. And then that she rejected your follow-up, which is atypical.”
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Collins confirmed that the mood on Capitol Hill reflects growing skepticism. She noted that Republican lawmakers believe the administration is tying itself in knots trying to downplay the contents of the Signal chat, despite the clear implications of the messages.
According to Collins, “it is overwhelmingly likely” that classified information was shared, given the specificity of the revealed strike times. The administration’s continued denial and refusal to directly engage with the media’s questions has only intensified scrutiny.
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