CNN Correspondent’s Controversial Post on Accused Killer’s Defense Fund Sparks Outrage
CNN White House Chief Correspondent Kaitlan Collins has sparked controversy after posting and then deleting a link to a defense fund for Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Mangione, 26, was arrested on December 9, 2024, following a multi-state manhunt for the high-profile murder of Thompson in Manhattan on December 4, 2024. He faces charges of first-degree murder in furtherance of an act of terrorism, stalking, and other state and federal charges in New York and Pennsylvania.
Collins’ Post and Subsequent Backlash
On X, Collins shared a link to a new website launched by defense lawyers for Mangione. This prompted swift criticism from numerous users, including The Spectator contributing editor Stephen L. Miller.
Miller condemned Collins’ post as "real bottom of the barrel stuff" and accused her of "promot[ing] a link for the defense fund of a cold-blooded killer." He also noted that Collins had deleted the post without explanation, leading him to speculate that it "wasn’t White House correspondent related."
WMAL host Larry O’Connor and New York Times best-selling author Jack Posobiec also voiced their disapproval of Collins’ post. Posobiec pointed out that Mangione had been depicted in video footage murdering Thompson in cold blood.
Calls for Action
The backlash against Collins’ post has intensified, with some users demanding that she lose her press credentials and access to the White House. The Fox News Digital team has reached out to Collins for comment.
Defense Fund and Public Reaction
Following Mangione’s arrest, his supporters donated over $300,000 to his legal defense fund. This has raised questions about the ethics of supporting a suspect accused of a heinous crime.
The public reaction to Collins’ post has highlighted the complex ethical issues involved in media coverage of criminal cases. Critics have argued that it is inappropriate for journalists to promote defense funds for individuals accused of violent crimes.
CNN Response
CNN has not yet publicly addressed the controversy surrounding Collins’ post. It remains to be seen how the network will respond to the criticism and whether it will take any action in response to the incident.
Ethical Considerations
The decision of whether to promote a defense fund for a criminal suspect is a delicate one. Journalists must balance the public’s right to know against the potential consequences of amplifying the voices of individuals charged with serious crimes.
In this case, the public outrage over Collins’ post suggests that the majority of the audience perceived it as inappropriate and insensitive. It remains to be seen how Collins and CNN will respond to the ethical implications of her actions.
