CNN star anchor Kaitlan Collins is under fire from colleagues after purchasing a high-end vacation home on Nantucket Island, one of the most expensive real estate markets in the U.S. The timing of the buy has reportedly “grossed out” fellow employees, many of whom are grappling with layoffs, restructuring, and job insecurity under CNN’s ongoing cost-cutting strategy.

Collins, who juggles dual roles as chief White House correspondent and host of her own primetime show, The Sourcereportedly spent millions on the coastal getaway, which has left some staff feeling alienated. One insider told reporters:

While supporters note Collins’ intense workload and on-screen presence, resentment has been growing behind the scenes, fueled by widespread cuts since Mark Thompson took over as CNN’s chairman and CEO in late 2023.

In January, CNN eliminated over 200 jobs as part of a newsroom merger designed to cut costs. The atmosphere since then has remained tense, with many employees fearing additional waves of downsizing.

Nantucket is a notoriously pricey spot. The average home price hovers around $4 million, with some properties going for $30M+. Famous homeowners on the island include John Kerry, Bill Belichick, and Dave Portnoy.

Though Collins has risen quickly through the CNN ranks and survived the collapse of the short-lived morning show with Don Lemon and Poppy Harlow, her spending is now drawing a sharp line between CNN’s high-earning talent and its increasingly strained workforce.

This latest controversy adds to the broader media industry discussion around income disparity and the optics of wealth at a time when newsroom morale is fragile and shrinking budgets threaten long-term careers.