Leavitt’s Epic Smackdown: CNN Reporter Stumped on Musk’s Security Secrets – Who’s the Face of This Clash?”

On March 22, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a masterclass in deflection during a tense exchange with CNN’s chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins. The showdown, aired live, centered on Elon Musk—billionaire Trump ally and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—and whether he’d cleared the usual security hurdles for his murky “special government employee” role. Collins came in hot: “Can you confirm that Elon Musk is a special government employee? And what kind of security clearance does he have?” Leavitt didn’t flinch. “I can confirm he’s a special government employee. I can also confirm that he has abided by all applicable federal laws. As for his security clearance, I’m not sure, but I can check back with you,” she shot back, cool as ice.

Collins, undeterred, pressed harder: “Did he pass a background check, do you know?” Leavitt stuck to her script: “I don’t know about the security clearance, but I can check.” The room buzzed—here’s Musk, a guy with his hands on sensitive federal data, and the press secretary’s playing coy. X lit up with reactions: some hailed Leavitt’s stonewalling as a power move, others slammed it as a dodge, questioning why Musk’s vetting status is a mystery when he’s already rifling through Treasury and USAID files. Critics point to Musk’s existing top-secret clearance from his SpaceX days, but Leavitt’s “I’ll check” left the door wide open for speculation. Is this a deliberate haze, or does she genuinely not know?

Who’s the face of this fireworks? Karoline Leavitt, smirking under pressure, embodies the Trump admin’s brash confidence—perfect for a headline that screams control. Kaitlan Collins, eyes narrowed, represents the press’s dogged pursuit, her intensity begging for answers. Or Elon Musk, the enigma himself, could loom large—his casual grin hinting at the chaos he’s stirring. Leavitt’s the gatekeeper, Collins the challenger, Musk the puppetmaster. Pick Leavitt for the win, Collins for the fight, or Musk for the riddle—this trio’s a powder keg of curiosity.