Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins just exposed CNN’s dangerous habit of publishing false stories targeting America’s heroes, demanding to know “why CNN is hostile to veterans” after the network lost a staggering $5 million defamation lawsuit to a veteran who tried to help others.

At a Glance

• VA Secretary Doug Collins publicly confronted CNN over misleading reporting, particularly a false story about automating VA call centers
• Collins referenced CNN’s recent $5 million defamation case loss to Navy veteran Zachary Young during a heated exchange with CNN host Kaitlan Collins
• The VA Secretary accused CNN correspondent Brian Todd of ignoring VA officials who repeatedly informed him the automation story was untrue
• Collins called the situation a “disinformation operation” and publicly urged Wolf Blitzer to hold his CNN colleagues to higher journalistic standards

Secretary Calls Out CNN’s “Hostility” Toward Veterans

In a move that should have every American cheering, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins didn’t mince words when confronting CNN about their apparent vendetta against those who served our country. During what was supposed to be a standard interview with CNN host Kaitlan Collins, the Secretary flipped the script and put the network itself in the hot seat.

Collins wasn’t interested in playing defense against loaded questions – instead, he went straight for CNN’s journalistic jugular, bringing up their embarrassing legal defeat in a case involving a veteran who was simply trying to help others during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal.

Collins directly challenged the network: “I have a question as VA secretary… I want to ask you because I’ve been curious about this because my job is to take care of veterans, and I would like to know why CNN is hostile to veterans – especially one in Florida who you just had a $5 million defamation suit. Taking offense at a veteran who was trying to help people.”

The Battle Over Fake Automation Story

The confrontation didn’t come out of nowhere. Collins had been engaged in an ongoing struggle with CNN, particularly correspondent Brian Todd, over what the VA Secretary describes as completely fabricated reporting. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Collins meticulously detailed how Todd had published a story claiming the VA was planning to automate its call centers – despite being repeatedly told by VA officials that no such plans existed. This wasn’t just a simple misunderstanding; according to Collins, it was a deliberate attempt to push a false narrative.

“True stories about the fake news: @CNN edition” Collins wrote on social media, adding that “Every few days, a guy named @BrianToddCNN reaches out to us, asking for the department’s response to whatever fake controversy VA’s critics are pushing. I’m not sure what his actual beat is, but his specialty seems to be regurgitating pre-packaged opposition research VA critics prepare for him”

The brazenness of CNN’s approach is staggering. Even after being warned multiple times that the automation story was false, Todd reportedly went ahead and published it anyway. When VA officials tried to address the inaccuracies with CNN editors, they were stonewalled. Instead of retracting the false report, CNN executives suggested the VA simply provide a statement responding to allegations they already knew were untrue. This isn’t journalism – it’s manufacturing propaganda.

The $5 Million Defamation Case

The backdrop to this confrontation makes CNN’s actions even more troubling. Secretary Collins didn’t randomly bring up the network’s defamation case loss – he was highlighting a pattern of behavior. CNN was recently ordered to pay $5 million in damages to Navy veteran Zachary Young after falsely portraying him as illegally profiting from helping people escape Afghanistan during the catastrophic U.S. withdrawal. Internal messages revealed during the trial showed CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt had actually intended to harm Young’s reputation.

CNN’s pattern is becoming disturbingly clear: target veterans, publish false information even after being corrected, and then refuse to take responsibility. The network that once prided itself on journalistic integrity now appears more interested in pushing narratives than reporting facts – even when those narratives harm the very people who risked their lives to defend our freedom. After embarrassing themselves with the Young defamation case, you’d think CNN would be more careful about reporting on veterans’ issues. Apparently, $5 million wasn’t enough of a learning experience.

A Direct Appeal for Higher Standards

In a move that shows just how serious the situation has become, Secretary Collins took the extraordinary step of publicly appealing to CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, urging him to hold his colleague to higher journalistic standards. “@wolfblitzer – Please hold your employee,@BrianToddCNN, to a higher standard. Thank you,” Collins wrote, making it clear this wasn’t just about one bad story but about a systemic problem at the network. The Secretary described CNN’s approach as a “disinformation operation” – strong words from a Cabinet official, but entirely justified based on the evidence.

As of this writing, neither Brian Todd nor CNN have responded to Collins’s serious allegations. Their silence speaks volumes. The American people – and especially our veterans – deserve better than a media outlet that seems determined to push false narratives regardless of the facts. If CNN wants to restore any semblance of credibility, they need to start by acknowledging when they’re wrong and committing to actual journalism rather than activism masquerading as news. Until then, Secretary Collins is right to call them out – someone has to stand up for the truth, and for our veterans.

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