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President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Deputy Attorney General is under fire after being spotted having lunch with a CNN host.
Photos shared on social media showed attorney Todd Blanche having lunch with one of the incoming president’s critics, CNN reporter and host Kaitlan Collins.
The photos were posted by British journalist Raheem Kassam and even caught the attention of billionaire X owner Elon Musk.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 5, 2024
The lunch evidently took place in Palm Beach, Florida where Trump currently resides. Collins, in a yellow top and black pants, sat across from Blanche who wore a button-up shirt and slacks. The two seemed engaged in a conversation yet relaxed
The sighting set off a wave of speculation with rumors spreading that Blanche could be an “informant.”
“The pair has participated in interviews together in the past, including just after Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business documents in his New York hush money trial. Although it is unclear what the pair discussed at the meeting, according to an insider, Blanche could be serving as an informant for the CNN host,” OK! Magazine noted.
“Trump hates anyone in his inner circle being a leak,” the source told the publication. “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 source 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.”
The suspicions and speculation had many looking back at some of Collins’s recent reporting, including her scoop on Blanche being picked by Trump.
Collins: I can reports tonight that the President-Elect is seriously considering naming his lead attorney, Todd Blanche, to serve as the next deputy attorney general. pic.twitter.com/HuvnUHFSbu
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 14, 2024
Collins also cited her sources in a report last month to say there was infighting in the Trump circle over his pick for 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,” she reported at the time.
Meanwhile, Blanche, who served as Trump’s lawyer during Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s criminal prosecution, recently moved to Florida and registered as a Republican, according to the New York Times.
While there have been no official reports elaborating on Blanche’s lunch with Collins, angry social media users took off with theories and calls for the lawyer’s name to be removed from consideration.
One notable reaction was from conservative activist Scott Presler who joked, “To be fair, I think he thought he was dining with me.”
To be fair, I think he thought he was dining with me.
— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) December 5, 2024
This should be disqualifying
— AJ (@AjApplegoose) December 4, 2024
Kaitlan Collins lies continuously about Trump. Why on earth is a Trump pick giving her access?
Times have changed, this is not good.
— AlstroemeriaSun (@AlstroemeriaSun) December 4, 2024
@realDonaldTrump @DonaldJTrumpJr What the hell is he your deputy AG pick doing meeting with this Trump hating propagandist ?
Maybe he is your mole and leaker! You need to change your deputy AG pick… We MAGA don’t trust him and neither should you..
— Miss Britt (@BrittLee58) December 4, 2024
Others cautioned for a more level-headed approach, suggesting there is a good explanation for the meet-up, regardless of the optics.
You don’t know why he was there. Trump probably knew about it and may have actually sent him to do whatever it is he was doing.
— Riven Music Production (@RivenMusicPro) December 5, 2024
As his attorney, how do we know he wasn’t sent there to discuss some sort of interview deal?
It’s not like they’re hiding and got caught.
— Frozen (@icecastles22) December 5, 2024
DON’T jump to conclusions People!!!! Todd Blanche has been Trump’s attorney through thick and thin over the last 9 years of BS lawfare, he would never betray Trump..
— GailKeep Fighting for America. (@LadySailor82) December 4, 2024
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