CNN’s new primetime host 31-year-old Kaitlan Collins was called a “petulant teenager” by 38-year-old GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, calling his interview “hilarious.” “Hillarious interview @CNN last night,” Ramaswamy tweeted Monday night, after accused by the young CNN host as spreading conspiracy theories. Kaitlan questioned Ramaswamy about an The Atlantic article in which Ramasway was quoted questioning how many federal agents were on the Sept. 11 suicide flights. Ramaswamy reported what former President Donald Trump found out May 11, when Collins moderated a CNN town hall, frequently interrupting Trump responses to a CNN audience, largely positive for Trump. Collins kept fact-checking Trump, interrupting his train of thought. Now Ramaswamy finds out the same thing with Collins calling him out on his comments
CNN’pushed Kaitlan into a prime time spot after her contentious interview with Trump. At 31-year-of-age, Collins doesn’t have the experience or presence to interview anyone of stature or controversy, forcing out her snarky side, something not welcomed by CNN’s audience. Collins questioned Ramaswamy about his Attlantic article quoting him asking questions about how many federal agents were on planes that crashed into the World Trace Center Twin Towers, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, PA. Ramaswamy, like others, have questions about what really happened on Sept. 11, especially the extent of Saudi government involvement. “What I said on Jan; 6, I do believe that there were many federal agents in the field and we deserve to know who they are,” Ramaswamy said to Collins on “The Source.” Collins is right to question Ramaswamy’s fast-and-loose comments on Sept. 11.
Whatever Collins questions, Ramaswany, who was17-years-of-age during Sept. 11, 2001 attack, has no business opining about his about Sept. 11. “On 911, what I’ve said is that the government lied and this is incontrovertible evidence, Kaitlan, the government lied about Saudi Arabia’s involvement,” Ramaswamy said. Kaitlan questioned Ramaswamy, accusing him of spreading conspiracy theories. “I think people look at those comments, they look at what you said in The Atlantic—what you say you misquoted. Thet look at comments that you’ve made about the Federal Reserve adding zeros to media companies back accounts and I mean, it looks like your floating conspiracy theories with this defense of ‘I’m just asking questions,’” Collins said. Ramaswamy, the youngest GOP candidate, certainly shows his vulnerability to media interviews, especially when challenged.
Inexperienced politicians often make controversial statements, giving moderators plenty of ammunition to ask for clarification. Collins didn’t interrupt Ramaswamy like she did in her May 11 town hall with Trump. Kaitlan has her own problems with inexperience, unable to keep pace with experienced politicians. Collins also pressed Ramaswamy on his recommendations to arm Taiwan to defend against a Chinese invasion. Biden said Sept. 23, 2022 that he would send U.S. troops to defend Taiwan from a Beijing invasion. Collins insinuated that Ramaswamy would abandon Taiwan. “I will not allow someone to put words in my mouth,” he said. Ramaswamy, like most Republican candidates, don’t have an answer what to do with Taiwan. Since the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. has been forbidden in defending Taiwan or, for that matter, recognizing Taiwan.
Collins continues to do what led CNN anchor Jim Acosta to move up the ranks, confronting Trump at every opportunity, obnoxiously or not. Acosta was richly rewarded in CNN’s hierarchy for confronting Trump. Collins learned a lot from Acosta, now becoming the new anti-conservative host at CNN. When it comes to interviewing presidential candidates, Collins job is to promote Biden, finding everything wrong with Republican candidates. When CNN’s daytime host Jake Tapper commented recently that Trump was right about Hunter Biden, it threw the network for a loop. CNN hosts and pundits are usually on the same page, promoting White House policies, criticizing conservatives. Nowhere is this bias seen more obvious than promoting Biden’s proxy war against the Russian Federation. Not one liberal outlet, broadcast or print, opposes the Ukraine War.
Collins finds herself in over her head at 31-year-of-age hosting a CNN primetime show. When it comes to Ramaswamy, he’s the perfect GOP candidate to pick on because of his youth-and-inexperience. Ramaswamy his no business opining about Sept. 11 or controversial foreign policies like Taiwan. When he faces questions on the debate stage, he’ll likely make the same mistakes, letting his enthusiasm get the better of him. More experienced Fox News hosts Bret Baier and Martha McCallum won’t hesitate to call any of the debate participants out for unfounded comments when it comes to the economy or foreign policy. Trump looms over the debate stage knowing the former president faces 91 felonies. Baier and McCallum will no doubt questions those on stage on their views on Trump continuing in the 2024 race. Candidates like former New Jersey Gov. Christie Christie will come out with both barrels blazing.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
