CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins deletes post on Luigi Mangione defense fund after backlash

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins deleted a post linking to Luigi Mangione’s defense fund after criticism.

CNN chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins deleted a social media post after facing criticism for sharing a link to a defense fund supporting Luigi Mangione, the suspect charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

According to Fox News, Collins posted a link on X to a website created by Mangione’s defense attorneys, which solicited donations for his legal expenses. Mangione, 26, is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder in furtherance of an act of terrorism, stalking, and other federal and state offenses in New York and Pennsylvania. He was arrested on December 9, 2024, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a multi-state manhunt. Following his arrest, over $300,000 in donations were raised for his legal defense.

Collins’ post was met with swift criticism from several public figures. The Spectator contributing editor Stephen L. Miller denounced the post as “real bottom of the barrel stuff” in a comment on X. He also noted that Collins deleted the post without providing an explanation. WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor echoed the criticism, stating that Collins “used her considerable platform to promote a link for the defense fund of a cold-blooded killer” and pointed out that she had not issued an apology or further comment in over 24 hours.

Additionally, New York Times best-selling author Jack Posobiec accused Collins of promoting Mangione’s defense despite video evidence allegedly showing him committing the crime. Some social media users went further, suggesting that Collins should lose her White House press credentials.

As of now, Collins has not publicly addressed the controversy. Fox News Digital reported that it reached out to her for comment but has not yet received a response.