Donald Trump is known for his hate-hate relationship with certain media portals. If you follow the US President on social media, you’ll be well-aware of his frequent rants where he calls out selected journalists who don’t sing the same narrative as his. He bluntly labels them ‘liars’ and accuses them of spreading alleged ‘fake news’.
In his recent Truth Social post, he lashed out at CNN’s national security correspondent Natasha Bertrand who reported that Iran’s nuclear sites were not “obliterated” by Trump’s airstrike. Trump demanded that she should be ‘fired’ and ‘thrown out of CNN ‘like a dog’.
Trump wrote in his post, “Natasha Bertrand should be FIRED from CNN! I watched her for three days doing Fake News. She should be IMMEDIATELY reprimanded, and then thrown out “like a dog.” She lied on the Laptop from Hell Story, and now she lied on the Nuclear Sites Story, attempting to destroy our Patriot Pilots by making them look bad when, in fact, they did a GREAT job and hit “pay dirt” — TOTAL OBLITERATION!”
“She should not be allowed to work at Fake News CNN. It’s people like her who destroyed the reputation of a once great Network. Her slant was so obviously negative, besides, she doesn’t have what it takes to be an on camera correspondent, not even close. FIRE NATASHA!,” he further added.
However, CNN has stepped forward to support its journalist as Trump publicly attempts to discredit her. The PR team of the media channel posted on X, “We stand 100% behind Natasha Bertand’s journalism and specifically her and her colleagues’ reporting of the U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. CNN’s reporting made clear that this was an initial finding that could change with additional intelligence. We have extensively covered President Trump’s own deep skepticism about it.”
As the company stands by Natasha’s reporting, the channel says, “However, we do not believe it is reasonable to criticize CNN reporters for accurately reporting the existence of the assessment and accurately characterizing its findings, which are in the public interest.”
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) June 25, 2025
Two days ago, Trump had slammed CNN’s Anderson Cooper along with other entities from ABC and NBC. He wrote, “The sites that we hit in Iran were totally destroyed, and everyone knows it. Only the Fake News would say anything different in order to try and demean, as much as possible — And even they say they were “pretty well destroyed!” Working especially hard on this falsehood is Allison Cooper of Fake News CNN, Dumb Brian L. Roberts, Chairman of “Con”cast, Jonny Karl of ABC Fake News, and always, the Losers of, again, Concast’s NBC Fake News. It never ends with the sleazebags in the Media, and that’s why their Ratings are at an ALL TIME LOW — ZERO CREDIBILITY!”
With Trump’s continuous attacks on CNN, the company found it fit to finally take a stand. Natasha joined CNN in 2021 after covering national security and politics for two years at Politico. She has also worked for The Atlantic and Business Insider.
CNN’s reply to Trump has received mixed reviews from people on the Internet. While some are lauding the company for supporting its journalist, others feel that Trump is right about CNN.
An X user wrote, “CNN is the reason journalism exists,” while another added, “If only more networks will show courage by standing up for their journalists. They’re afraid of getting sued by that convicted criminal, and by posting statements such as this, they will probably win every *frivolous* lawsuit.”
CNN is the reason journalism exists. I stand with Natalie.
— The Gas Stove 🔥 (@TheGasStovee) June 25, 2025
If only more networks will show courage by standing up for their journalists. They’re afraid of getting sued by that convicted criminal, and by posting statements such as this, they will probably win every *frivolous* lawsuit.
— Claire S🤍 (@SaintLaurant) June 25, 2025
Criticizing the media firm, someone tweeted, “In other words, CNN says it is comfortable publishing propaganda.”
In other words, CNN says it is comfortable publishing propaganda.
— ❤️ American Heart ❤️ (@MyHeartAmerica) June 25, 2025
“You participated in the distribution of illegally leaked classified national security information. You have much more serious things to worry about than Natasha Bertrand’s reputation,” wrote another.
You participated in the distribution of illegally leaked classified national security information. You have much more serious things to worry about than Natasha Bertrand’s reputation.
— naturalborntx (@naturalborntx) June 26, 2025
It remains to be seen how Trump responds to CNN’s reply.
