'Just put on a red hat': CNN segment on latest Trump tactic spurs 'sanewashing' uproar

A CNN correspondent faced criticism of "sanewashing" Monday as she reported on former President Donald Trump's controversial decision to campaign in regions of Georgia devastated by Hurricane Helene.

Reporter Kristen Holmes on Monday detailed Trump's visit to Valdosta where he delivered supplies, a campaign speech and what she described as a "message of unity" — despite his incorrect claim that President Joe Biden was missing in action.

"He is clearly taking this seriously as a politician...trying to show that he is there in support of the people on the ground," said Holmes. "He is again offering a message of unity."

Holmes reported Trump had received a briefing from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard, despite not holding any governmental office, and had come with needed supplies such as gasoline.

The CNN correspondent also claimed Trump had promised to secure StarLink broadband internet service directly from Tesla CEO Elon Musk despite reporting that shows FEMA had already coordinated satellite coverage.

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"He's going to personally have a conversation with Elon Musk," Holmes said, "which does matter given what we know about their relationship."

While Holmes noted Trump has spent the past days "slamming" Vice President Kamala Harris, she did not report on Trump's false claims about Biden.

Nor did she report on criticism that Trump's presence put added pressure on local officials tasked with protecting his safety rather than join post-storm recovery efforts.

Political commentator Aaron Rupar expressed frustration with the segment on X in the form of a summary and a hashtag.

"CNN correspondent says Trump is taking Helene seriously and is offering a 'message of unity,'" Rupar wrote. "#sanewashing."

Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko suggested Holmes had shown political bias akin to sporting "Make America Great Again" merchandise.

"Kristen Holmes should just put on a red hat," he wrote.

Mark Jacob, former editor of the Chicago Tribune, said he found Holmes' coverage representative of mainstream media coverage of the 2024 presidential election lead-up, and professed himself unimpressed.

"The news media is failing us at this crucial moment for democracy," Jacobs wrote. "No reporter is so stupid that they would think Trump is actually spreading a 'message of unity.'"

Watchdog group Media Matters research director Courtney Hagle was apparently so frustrated she wrote an entire article about the segment.

"Holmes did not mention Trump’s false comments from earlier on September 30 that [Gov. Brian] Kemp is 'having a hard time getting the president on the phone' and that Biden is being 'very nonresponsive,'" Hagle wrote.

"The same day, Kemp said that he had spoken to Biden the previous day and that he appreciates Biden’s offers of assistance."

Watch the full segment below or click here.