Trump mocks CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Rep. Massie as ‘loser’

• Trump confirmed he will retain Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary even if impeached, citing military victories and popularity among troops
• Trump defended the Pentagon under Hegseth, claiming military recruitment surged from historic lows to record highs with long waiting lists

US President Donald Trump forcefully defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, claiming he will stand by his Pentagon chief even in the event of an impeachment, while launching personal attacks against CNN Chief White House Correspondent, Kaitlan Collins.

During an exchange in the White House briefing room, Collins pressed Trump on whether he would maintain his support for Hegseth if he is impeached.

Collins noted that Republican Representative Thomas Massie filed articles of impeachment alleging that Hegseth carried out illegal acts.

Trump immediately reaffirmed his backing for Hegseth, before brushing off the Kentucky lawmaker’s efforts and directing his fire at Collins.

“Massie’s a loser, just like you’re a loser at CNN,” Trump told Collins. “Just like your ratings are a loser. Massie is a loser, stone-cold loser.”

Trump went on to defend Hegseth’s record at the helm of the Department of War, pointing to recent military actions.

“We won two wars, he was in charge, we all won,” Trump said, asserting that “the actual soldiers… they love Pete Hegseth.”

He also criticized past Pentagon leadership under former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, questioning why previous leaders were not held accountable for past conflicts.

Trump argued that under Hegseth, US armed forces have reversed what he characterized as a recruitment crisis.

According to Trump, recruitment numbers were at historic lows when he campaigned for office, but have now rebounded across all service branches to the highest figures recorded, resulting in “waiting lists of people trying to get in.”