‘Innuendo And Rumor Stories’: VA Secretary Collins Blasts Media Hacktivist’s Anti-DOGE Hatchet Job

First, it was ABC’s Martha Raddatz. Then, it was CBS’s Margaret Brennan. And now, Military.com’s Patricia Kime is the latest member of the propaganda press to get a well-deserved scolding from the Trump administration for masquerading her left-wing activism as reporting.

The moment came during a newly released sit-down exchange between Kime and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins. The former congressman was sworn into the position last month following a bipartisan vote in the U.S. Senate.

“I need your help on something. I need your help because all I seem to be doing lately is fighting back against innuendo and rumor stories,” Collins told Kime. “In fact, Patricia, part of it is with you.”

The VA secretary took specific aim at a Feb. 5 story authored by Kime titled, “Elon Musk Aide Is Now Working at VA and Accessing Its Computer Systems.” Citing unconfirmed reports, the Military.com reporter wrote in her piece that, “Rumors began circulating Tuesday that DOGE representatives visited the VA on Tuesday with an intent to mine data on disability compensation and benefits.”

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

Passing what appeared to be a copy of the article to Kime, Collins criticized the so-called “journalist” for sensationalizing the unconfirmed rumors about the VA’s operations and asked her to commit to not publish similarly shoddy work in the future. (Read more from “‘Innuendo And Rumor Stories’: VA Secretary Collins Blasts Media Hacktivist’s Anti-DOGE Hatchet Job” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore viaFlickr