The Pentagon and White House criticized CNN’s coverage of the Iran war on Friday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed his anticipation for a Trump ally to take control of the news network. During a news conference on US military actions against Tehran, Hegseth condemned the media, specifically calling for a more patriotic press.
Hegseth was particularly angered by a CNN story suggesting the US had underestimated Iran’s ability to disrupt global oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. He dismissed the story as “patently ridiculous” and expressed a desire for David Ellison to assume leadership of the network. Ellison, head of Paramount Skydance, is set to finalize the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, the current owner of CNN.
Earlier, Ellison had pledged to uphold CNN’s editorial independence. His father, Larry Ellison, a billionaire and Trump ally, played a significant role in financing the acquisition. The White House also denounced CNN’s report on the Strait of Hormuz, labeling it as “100% FAKE NEWS.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the Pentagon had long been preparing for potential Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz. She stated that such planning was part of the Trump Administration’s strategy before the initiation of Operation Epic Fury. In response, CNN’s chief, Mark Thompson, affirmed the network’s commitment to truth-telling despite political pressures.
President Trump has frequently criticized CNN, particularly targeting anchor Kaitlan Collins. In February, he reprimanded Collins for not smiling while asking him a question about the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.