Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins delivered a masterclass on how to fight back against biased media, confronting a reporter directly over an article she wrote laced with plenty of rumors and innuendo. 

Collins, in a conversation with Military.com reporter Patricia Kime on Tuesday, went directly at her over a report she filed regarding Elon Musk's DOGE team's access to the VA's computer systems.

The article is supported by terms such as "rumors began circulating" and "she had heard that."

The terms are more appropriate for a gossip session at the local barbershop but maybe not for a publication reporting on military and veteran affairs.

Senate Votes on Doug Collins for Head of Department of Veterans Affairs

Collins literally pulled the article out of his pocket and began pointing out several instances in which the reporting aspect of the story had been a bit shoddy.

"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," the Air Force veteran began. "In fact, Patricia, part of it is with you."

"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 continued. "Will you commit to not doing that in the future?"

Reporters – Please help our Veterans by NOT spreading unconfirmed rumors, hearsay and innuendo about @DeptVetAffairs. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/rZbMQn5VmY

— VA Secretary Doug Collins (@SecVetAffairs) March 11, 2025

Kime pushes back a bit on Collins' assertions but fumbles badly. At one point, when the VA Secretary says she should have asked our DOGE liaison about the rumors, Kime says, "I did ask that question."

Later, however, she insists she was never told that the VA hired a DOGE liaison.

Collins continued hammering the reporter, specifically pointing to a quote she used by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), who had referenced a press release saying "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,” he added. “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.'"

Collins demanded Kime commit to not spreading rumors.

"No, I want to hear the answer first," he said. "Are you committing not to do rumors? Because you’re scaring my VA employees about this and you’re scaring my veterans.”

“That's fair. I will do that," vowed Kime.

This is the way to do it. https://t.co/CY2ZUzXbzq

— Lawrence Jones III (@LawrenceBJones3) March 12, 2025

The VA has been a DOGE target in trying to rein in waste and abuse being promulgated off the backs of military veterans.

Earlier this month, the Department redirected $900 million in savings back to health care, benefits, and services for VA beneficiaries by terminating 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," Secretary Collins said of the news.

"We are putting Veterans first at VA. That means finding new and better ways to do our jobs and focus our resources," he added. "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."

That's a direct source, not a rumor.

Help RedState continue to tell the truth about the Trump administration's accomplishments as we continue to usher in the Golden Era of America. Join RedState’s VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.