White House slams CNN for coverage of potential conflict with Iran

CNN's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, was the backdrop for significant changes on January 23, 2025, as the US news network announced it would be reducing its staff by six percent, equivalent to around 200 people, as part of a major overhaul of its staffing and programming amid a surge in political news.

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This move, according to CNN chief executive Mark Thompson, would bring about both new job opportunities and the loss of some valued colleagues, as outlined in a memo to staff, highlighting the significant impact of the changes.

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The Pentagon and the White House have strongly criticized CNN's coverage of the Iran war, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressing his eagerness for an ally of President Donald Trump to take over the news network during a news conference on US military operations against Tehran.

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Hegseth's criticism was particularly focused on a CNN story suggesting that Washington had underestimated Iran's ability to disrupt global oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which he described as "patently ridiculous" and urged for an "actual patriotic press".

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The story in question had attracted the attention of David Ellison, the head of Paramount Skydance, which is set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, the current owner of CNN, after outbidding Netflix in a landmark takeover deal.

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Earlier this month, Ellison had pledged to protect CNN's editorial independence, despite his father, Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison, being a longtime ally and financial backer of President Donald Trump and having largely financed the takeover.

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The White House also responded to the CNN story, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissing it as "100% FAKE NEWS" in a post on X, stating that the Pentagon had been planning for Iran's potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz for decades.

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Leavitt further emphasized that this planning had been part of the Trump Administration's strategy well before the launch of Operation Epic Fury, highlighting the administration's preparedness for such a scenario.

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In response to the criticism, CNN chief Mark Thompson reaffirmed the network's commitment to telling the truth to its audiences, stating that no amount of political threats or insults would change this core principle.

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President Donald Trump has a history of lashing out at CNN reporters, including anchor Kaitlan Collins, whom he scolded in February for not smiling while asking a question about the victims of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.