Conservative outrage is brewing after Todd Blanche, Donald Trump’s pick for Deputy Attorney General, was spotted having a “deep conversation” during a lunch meeting with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, a known critic of President-elect Donald Trump.
Collins, who has built her career on relentless attacks on Trump, appeared both relaxed and engaged, wearing a yellow top paired with black pants.
Meanwhile, Blanche chose a more casual look with a button-up shirt and slacks, as captured in photos shared by journalist Raheem Kassam.
The sighting has sparked outrage among Trump loyalists, with many pointing to the administration’s history of internal leaks and betrayals.
An anonymous insider told OK! Magazine, “Trump hates anyone in his inner circle being a leak. It’s quite obvious from these pictures that Kaitlin and Todd aren’t talking about the plans for Christmas!”
“This cozy catch-up could infuriate Trump,” the insider added.
“He’s been caught red-handed being a source to one of CNN’s biggest stars,” the insider continued. “You don’t look deep in conversation if you’re just catching up and talking about the weather.”
“Todd is an informant on Trump World for Kaitlin — but they’ve been done over by an eagle-eyed onlooker! Next time Kaitlin gets a scoop on the inner workings of the president-elect’s transition, you’d have to finger Todd as the likely culprit.”
Collins, who has previously interviewed Blanche, wrote an article last month suggesting Blanche was being seriously considered for the Deputy AG role, citing two sources.
“President-elect Donald Trump is seriously considering naming his lead attorney Todd Blanche to serve as the next deputy attorney general, the second-highest position in the Justice Department, according to two people familiar with his thinking,” Collins wrote.
Her reporting raised questions at the time about whether someone close to Trump’s team was feeding information to the media.
Last month, Kaitlan Collins, according to her sources, reported intense infighting taking center stage as Donald Trump narrows down his choices for one of the most critical posts in his incoming administration: Treasury secretary.
Collins said at the time:
“I have new reporting, tonight, about how the President-Elect is struggling with one of the biggest decisions that he has left. Who should be in charge of spending your tax dollars, and carrying out some of Trump’s most ambitious plans. His Treasury secretary.
Several sources tell me that there has been intense infighting happening behind-the-scenes, as Trump is searching for a big name. But so far, coming up short. I’m told that Trump really wants to impress Wall Street with his decision. He wants to avoid rocking the stock market, which has been doing quite well, under President Biden.”
CNN has also announced that Kaitlan Collins will take on the role of Chief White House Correspondent and will continue to anchor The Source.
Blanche, on the other hand, is a prominent attorney who served as Trump’s lawyer during Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s widely criticized prosecution over alleged business document falsifications. His defense work earned him praise from some in the conservative legal community.
In 2023, Blanche was a registered Democrat in New York. In 2024, Blanche purchased a home in Palm Beach County, Florida, and registered as a Republican voter, according to the New York Times.
Social media users are upset about the lunch meeting.
CNN host Kaitlan Collins dines with Trump Deputy Attorney General selection Todd Blanche
Wonder why? https://t.co/jj0ZfUBGCQ
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 4, 2024
If I’m Trump, there is absolutely no way I could give insider info to Todd Blanche after he was caught having lunch with the biggest left-wing propagandist, Kaitlin Collins…
Trump must immediately fire him.
— Nick (@nbbb2385) December 5, 2024
Spotted in Palm Beach today, Trump deputy AG pick Todd Blanche lunching with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. Kaitlin is also posting stories about an insider source. Hmmmm. Blanche needs to be fired before he starts.@elonmusk @realDonaldTrump @DanScavino pic.twitter.com/PGbR5MIEHy
— Futurist™ (@americasgreat) December 5, 2024
Donald Trump
You may have made a big mistake here.
Please consider replacing Todd Blanche https://t.co/SjM1QDHaSc
— Philip Anderson (@VoteHarrisOut) December 5, 2024
LEAKING? Trump deputy AG pick Todd Blanche lunching with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. He was a registered Democrat until this year.
h/t @RaheemKassam pic.twitter.com/lJORqWkgep
— @amuse (@amuse) December 5, 2024
Scott Pressler also made a joke about these viral photos.
To be fair, I think he thought he was dining with me.
— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) December 5, 2024
The Gateway Pundit has reached out to Todd Blanche for a comment.
For Trump’s base, the optics of this meeting are troubling. The trauma of disloyalty from 2016 remains fresh, and many conservatives are wary of any potential leaks coming from Trump’s team.
