CNN Considers Shifting Lineup and Coverage Strategy Ahead of Trump’s Return to White House

CNN is contemplating significant changes in its lineup and coverage strategy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House in January. According to sources, the network is discussing the possibility of making Kaitlan Collins its chief White House correspondent. This move would involve relocating Collins and her show, at least part-time, from New York to Washington, D.C.

The decision, which has not been finalized, aims to leverage Collins’ extensive network of sources within Trump’s White House, which she developed during her time covering the president’s first administration for both CNN and the Daily Caller. Recently, Collins has been based in West Palm Beach near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago compound, where she has been hosting her primetime show and breaking several major stories about the president’s transition efforts.

Despite internal discussions about a potential shakeup of CNN’s White House team, the network has not made any official decisions regarding programming changes or staffing beyond the appointment of David Chalian as the new D.C. bureau chief. CNN has declined to comment on these discussions.

The network is also navigating a delicate balance in its coverage of Trump. During his first term, wall-to-wall coverage of Trump drove record ratings for CNN and other news networks. However, following the merger with Discovery and the departure of former CNN president Jeff Zucker, the network’s leadership has sought to tone down its critical coverage of Trump. In an internal meeting, CNN boss Mark Thompson emphasized the need to focus on various important stories beyond the Beltway and avoid defaulting to anti-Trump coverage.

This shift in strategy comes as the cable news landscape continues to evolve, with more viewers turning to streaming and online platforms for news. Despite these changes, Collins has risen through the ranks traditionally, distinguishing herself as a skilled reporter and anchor capable of breaking significant stories and attracting a wide range of guests to her show).