Vice President JD Vance and another top ally of President Donald Trump left observers taken aback Thursday as they demanded to know why fiery adviser Stephen Miller isn't appearing on CNN.
Miller claimed on Fox News this week he had been banned from CNN after a slew of clashes with frustrated anchors trying to fact-check his wild claims. On Thursday, Steven Cheung, assistant to the president and White House director of communications, who is known for his incendiary statements, took to X to air his grievances.
"DAY 3: The White House has again made Stephen Miller @StephenM available to CNN for a third day (any time, any show, any topic). They have declined, presumably because they are scared Stephen will school them and call out Fake News. CNN = Chicken News Network," Cheung wrote on X.
Vance tried to pile on, writing on X, "If CNN wants to be a real news network it should feature important voices from our administration."
The double-dare from the White House earned quick reaction on social media from political commentators — including a quick response from CNN's communications team.
"Members of the administration, including Stephen Miller, are welcome to come on our air," CNN said in a statement. "As a news organization, we make editorial decisions about the stories we cover and when, and that depends on the news priorities of the day. We look forward to having Stephen on again in the future as news warrants."
Progressives hit back with a dare of their own.
Jon Favreau of the progressive podcast Pod Save America goaded on X, "We’ll take him on @PodSaveAmerica anytime."
Steve Inskeep called the White House's bluff on X.
"NPR has again invited @StephenM Stephen Miller to talk with me. He’s welcome. Check your messages," said Inskeep.
Attorney Tracey Gallagher replied to Vance on X with a blistering response.
"No that's Nazi propaganda crap Vance," she wrote. "Now I know why you wore a Russian t-shirt in college."
Aidan McLaughlin, Washington correspondent for Vanity Fair, wrote on X, "If traditional media is dead you would not be able to tell from the amount of time the White House spends going after CNN."
