CNN Hits Back After Hegseth Lashed Out at Network During Presser

CNN hit back after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth went off on the network at a press conference and gloated that, “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better!”

The network responded to remarks Hegseth made at a joint press conference on Tuesday morning alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine to update the Pentagon press corps as the Iran war closes out its second week.

Hegseth lashed out at the press to start the presser, singling out CNN and saying “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better!”:

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH: But some in this crew, in the press, just can’t stop. Allow me to make a few suggestions. People look up at the TV and they see banners. They see headlines. I used to be in that business. And I know that everything is written intentionally.

For example, a banner or a headline, “Mideast War intensifies,” splashing on the screen the last couple of days alongside visuals of civilian or energy targets that Iran has because that’s what they do.

What should the banner read instead? How about “Iran increasingly desperate?”

Because they are. They know it, and so do you, if it can be admitted.

Or more fake news from CNN. “Reports that the Trump administration underestimated the Iran War’s impact on the Strait of Hormuz.”

Patently ridiculous, of course. For decades, Iran has threatened shipping in the Streat of Hormuz. This is always what they do, hold the strait hostage.

CNN doesn’t think we thought of that. It’s a fundamentally unserious report.

The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better!

A CNN spokesperson reached out to Mediaite following the presser to say, “We stand by our reporting.”

As the presser wound down, CNN News Central co-anchor John Berman immediately noted the attacks on the press — without mentioning Ellison or CNN.

Watch above via CNN.

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