VA Secretary Shuts Down Reporter’s Fake News Story in Brutal Takedown [WATCH]

Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins directly confronted Military.com reporter Patricia Kime on Tuesday over an article she wrote regarding the DOGE team’s alleged access to VA computer systems.

Collins, an Air Force veteran, challenged the validity of her reporting, which relied on unverified claims and phrases such as “rumors began circulating” and “she had heard that.”

During their exchange, Collins emphasized the importance of accurate reporting, particularly when it comes to issues affecting veterans and VA employees.

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He criticized the article for spreading uncertainty and fear based on unconfirmed information.

“I need your help because all I seem to be doing lately is fighting back against innuendo and rumor stories. And this is what I seem to be fighting about all the time,” Collins told Kime.

“In fact, Patricia, part of it is with you.”

Collins then pulled out a printed copy of Kime’s article and pointed to specific areas where he believed the reporting fell short.

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Collins pushed back against the use of speculation in the article and asked Kime for a commitment to avoiding similar reporting practices in the future.

“And I just need your help because when you start headlines with ‘There’s a rumor going around’ and that ‘we’ve heard that,’ that hurts my veterans, that scares my veterans. That scares my employees. Because it’s not true,” he said.

“Will you commit to not doing that in the future?”

Kime responded by attempting to defend her work, stating that she had asked VA officials about the allegations.

However, when Collins pointed out inconsistencies in her reporting, she struggled to reconcile her statements.

At one point, Kime asserted that she had asked about the DOGE team’s involvement at the VA.

However, later in the discussion, she contradicted herself, stating that she was never told that the VA had hired a DOGE liaison.

Collins also criticized Kime’s reliance on a quote from Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), who had referenced a press release claiming that she “had heard that DOGE ‘may have barged into VA today.’”

“And then you go to Patty Murray, saying that ‘we’ve heard and DOGE may have barged into the VA today.’ Unconfirmed hearsay,” Collins stated.

“You know what I would have done if I were a member of Congress and probably done that? ‘Unconfirmed report.’ But you didn’t put ‘unconfirmed report.’”

The VA Secretary then asked Kime directly if she would commit to avoiding the spread of rumors in future reporting.

“No, I want to hear the answer first,” Collins said.

“Are you committing not to do rumors? Because you’re scaring my VA employees about this, and you’re scaring my veterans.”

Kime ultimately conceded. “That’s fair. I will do that,” she responded.

MUST WATCH: VA Secretary Doug Collins just REKT a fake news journo spreading rumors, lies, and unconfirmed reports about the VA.

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The VA has been a focus of recent efforts to eliminate wasteful spending and improve efficiency.

Earlier this month, the department redirected $900 million in savings back into health care, benefits, and services for veterans by cutting non-mission-critical and duplicative contracts.

“Under President Trump, VA is focused on becoming more efficient, responsive, and accountable to the Veterans, family members, caregivers, and survivors we are charged with serving,” Collins said regarding the initiative.

He reiterated the administration’s commitment to prioritizing veterans over bureaucratic inefficiencies.

“We are putting Veterans first at VA. That means finding new and better ways to do our jobs and focus our resources,” Collins stated.

“Every dollar we spend on wasteful or duplicative contracts is one less dollar we can spend on Veterans, and given that choice, I will always side with the Veteran.”

Collins’ confrontation with Kime underscores the administration’s broader efforts to challenge media narratives that rely on speculation rather than verified information, especially when it comes to issues affecting the country’s veterans.

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