All posts tagged "cnn"

Senator reveals the comfort 'worth its weight in gold' trapped sailors are being denied

CNN anchor Erin Burnett called the conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln "shocking" during a live broadcast on Thursday as new details emerged about dire troop morale.

Burnett spoke with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who sits on the Armed Services Committee. The lawmaker wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asking for information about the troops on naval ships and pushed back on Hegseth's claims.

"Hegseth trying to characterize these powerful, credible reports as fake news is really a disservice and profoundly disrespectful to the sailors who are on the USS Abraham Lincoln and enduring these hardships," Blumenthal said.

He explained how the lack of supplies, access to food, hot water, toothpaste and soap affects morale and increases stress, which he said contributed to a sailor reportedly going overboard.

"Anyone who's familiar with how an aircraft carrier operates knows that these jobs are highly stressful, requiring stamina as these fighter jets land on an area that looks like a postage stamp as they begin their descent," Blumenthal said. "And these sailors, whether they are on the deck or below, doing mechanics or at the surveillance systems, fending off possible attacks, are all under tremendous stress and doing work that can be highly dangerous if they are either distracted or demoralized. So it's a real strategic issue."

Reports indicated Thursday that the USS Washington was on its way to replace or relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea for a record 200-plus days without a port call — they haven't touched ground since the ship deployed from San Diego in November 2025.

But that still doesn't solve the problem, Blumenthal explained.

"The USS Washington is being taken away from its forward position in the far east. So the endless war of impulse without strategy and exit plan is having a toll on our military readiness," he added.

Burnett pointed out why this was problematic.

"When you hear this as an American and Americans rightly have pride in the greatest military in the world, but to hear that you have a premier military ship like this, right, a carrier where people aren't getting enough food, I think it's stunning," Burnett said. "It's hard to hear. And it's frankly shocking. And the conditions on the Lincoln appear to be in no small part because of the war with Iran."

Blumenthal described another disturbing report: sailors have not been receiving their care packages.

"Anybody who's had sons or daughters in the military, I've had two, knows that a stale cookie can be worth its weight in gold," he said. "That kind of destructive impact to morale can have a ripple effect in the crew."

Scott Jennings faces wrath of skeptical CNN panel over McConnell claims: 'Is he aware?'

Conservative CNN pundit Scott Jennings was grilled during a live broadcast after claiming he spoke with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)— again — and that the longtime Republican told him Tuesday that he was planning to return to Congress.

Jennings told the group of commentators that he spoke with the GOP senator on the phone, describing his condition as "improving position." He indicated that McConnell had said he's continuing his recovery and will return to Washington, D.C. after the recess to complete his final term in Congress, which ends in January 2027.

CNN anchor Pamela Brown asked Jennings to clarify how he was communicating with McConnell, whether he called the senator or an aide.

"He called me directly from his phone today," Jennings said. "We've had a relationship for a long time. I worked on a lot of his campaigns over the years, so it's not unusual for us to chat. But in today's case, he was really up on the campaigns. You know, he's a political operative at heart. We talked a lot about the Michigan Senate race. We talked about Maine a little bit, talked about just the map in general."

New York Times journalist and CNN contributor Lulu Garcia-Navarro expressed skepticism and asked why the public hadn't heard from McConnell.

"Scott, why isn't he calling in to a credible news organization? I mean, why is he talking to you and not talking to—" Garcia-Navarro asked.

"You saying it's not credible to call me, Lulu?" Jennings joked.

"I'm saying it's totally credible," Garcia-Navarro responded. "But as you said, you're calling your friend ... I'm just wondering how you view that. Why isn't he calling in to even one that he would consider friendly, like Fox News? That's the prevailing question."

Jennings suggested that McConnell might not be comfortable talking about his health, especially as a polio survivor.

The panel asked Jennings multiple questions to gather more information.

"Does he know about all of the brouhaha around this?" Garcia-Navarro asked.

David Chalian, senior vice President, Washington Bureau chief and political director for CNN, had a similar thought.

"Is he aware of the whole swirl?" Chalian asked.

Brown pointed out that McConnell hasn't voted since June, asking if he has spoken with any constituents since he was hospitalized.

"He told me today, he said, 'I know this is an unusual circumstance. I'm sitting here. The doctors tell me I don't have any life-threatening issues. It must seem rather strange,'" Jennings said. "I got the feeling he's somewhat aware of it and, frankly, somewhat frustrated by it."

CNN insiders shred MAGA billionaire's plea: 'We do not want it here'

CNN insiders shredded an op-ed by a MAGA billionaire who's trying to take over their parent company, according to a media reporter.

During an episode of the Status podcast Power Lines, Oliver Darcy, who reports on media, said that CNN staffers and journalists panned a New York Times op-ed by Paramount Skydance owner David Ellison, who is trying to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Ellison controls CBS, which has seen a MAGA makeover of its news programs under Bari Weiss and cut the Trump-critical The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

The Paramount chief's guest essay marked his first public defense of the deal, which a dozen states sued to block. A judge halted it until a trial set for March, but if it's greenlit, Ellison would take control of CNN. Darcy said that he spoke with more than a dozen people inside CNN about whether the essay swayed them, and they responded with a "resounding no."

"We all have eyes and ears and see what's happening at CBS," one employee told Darcy. "You can't just write an op-ed and erase that."

Another called out Weiss, whose leadership has seen the gutting of '60 Minutes' and the ratings of CBS Mornings and CBS Evening News plummet.

"The thing David Ellison seems to be missing is the wild mismanagement and disrespect that Bari has displayed at 60 and CBS," the CNN staffer told Darcy. "We see it, and we do not want it here."

A third CNN staffer told Darcy that the changes Ellison directed at CBS News "eroded the newsroom's trust," and concluded, "Free pressifying CNN is not the answer."

In the op-ed, Ellison wrote that he does not wish to bend newsrooms to his views, and said he wants them to reflect "the whole world, not one side of it." Darcy read that line as signaling which side Ellison believes is underrepresented.

"I don't think he believes that liberals are underrepresented," Darcy said. "I think he believes that conservatives are underrepresented in media."

Darcy also noted that Paramount didn't respond to his request for comment.

'Rings hollow': MAGA 'nepo baby' thrashed by analyst after defending media overhaul

Trump-allied executive David Ellison was trying to convince critics that he wouldn't let his company's acquisition of CNN impact the news organization's reporting, an analyst reported on Tuesday.

The Paramount Skydance owner responed to stalled-out purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery and wrote a New York Times op-ed on Tuesday, aiming to reassure critics that he wouldn't let his relationship with President Donald Trump influence his ownership or business decisions, The Daily Beast's Leigh Kimmons wrote.

"The billionaire nepo baby insisted his personal politics will not dictate newsroom decisions, responding directly to an antitrust lawsuit that threatens to torpedo the $111 billion mega-merger," Kimmons explained.

Ellison wrote this in his opinion piece for The Times.

“I believe that news should be based on facts and truth. Great news organizations like CNN and CBS News are here to tell it straight down the middle," Ellison wrote. "That requires newsrooms that reflect the whole world, not one side of it. And it requires independence. Our journalists will continue to answer to the facts and to all the people they serve—not to any party or cause.”

He also spoke about why he remained quiet over the court battle involving the media conglomerates — admitting "that staying quiet had backfired," Kimmons wrote.

"While I was silent, others were happy to write my story for me," Ellison wrote. "No more."

Kimmons called out the comment, given the ongoing disputes at CBS over political influence at the storied broadcasting company.

"The plea rings hollow given the overhaul at CBS, where Weiss caused dismay when she shelved a 60 Minutes episode on El Salvador’s CECOT prison after administration officials declined to be interviewed," Kimmons reported. "Veteran correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi blasted the move in an email to colleagues, calling the administration’s refusal to participate 'a tactical maneuver designed to kill the story.'"

Frustrated MAGA lawmaker squirms when fact-checked to his face on CNN

A Republican lawmaker got frustrated with a CNN anchor who fact-checked him during a live interview on Friday.

CNN's Pamela Brown was asking Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA) about whether President Donald Trump should be focusing on the SAVE America Act when the GOP leader made a false claim — and Brown corrected him.

"It's extremely important that we restore trust in America's elections," Baumgartner said. "It shouldn't be that difficult to make the same requirement to get on an airplane as the requirement to vote. You know, we've seen non-citizens voting in places like New Jersey, and we need to restore that trust to make sure the American people have confidence. So we voted for the SAVE America Act, I think at least four times in the House."

Brown clarified after Baumgartner's comments.

"You don't have to show you're a U.S. citizen to get on an airplane," she said.

Baumgartner tried to argue again, but Brown interjected and shut it down.

"You have to show ID that's different from U.S. citizen," she added.

Resigned Fetterman takes long pause when hit with tough question on CNN

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) appeared annoyed Friday when CNN anchor Kasie Hunt asked him if he was still planning to run for re-election.

The question prompted a long pause from Fetterman, who got defensive with Hunt during the live broadcast.

"I've already filed, I'm fundraising for it," Fetterman said.

"If you look at my campaign, I've already, you know, essentially announced that now, but it's like, why do people keep asking? Why aren't you — get other senators on here and ask them too," he said.

Hunt responded, alluding to how the Democratic senator has at times sided with Republicans and been questioned over his party loyalty.

"You're just in a very unique and interesting position," Hunt said, pointing to his recent establishment of Common Ground PA, a rare bipartisan fundraising effort.

"You just opened a PAC with Dave McCormick (R-PA), the Republican fellow senator from Pennsylvania," Hunt pointed out. "But of course, a Republican. It's very unusual in this political climate. What are you planning on using that joint PAC for?"

Fetterman defended the move and pushed back at Hunt's question, citing the lawmakers' shared interest in the agriculture industry.

"Why is it bizarre when there are plenty of donors that have enough shared interest?" Fetterman asked. "There's a lot of things that Dave McCormick and I are going to work together, you know, and then so I'm not sure why that's really an issue."

With midterms looming, Fetterman vowed he will "never" switch parties.

"It's not some sinister thing," Fetterman added. "I'm not changing my party. If I was going to change this party, I would have done that by now."

Red flags fly as 'very suspicious' move from Todd Blanche has confirmation in doubt

CNN analyst Andrew McCabe on Tuesday pointed out that the Department of Justice never responded to President Donald Trump's IRS lawsuit — and how that could impact Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination.

The former deputy director of the FBI told CNN anchor Kasie Hunt that, as Blanche's nomination remains in limbo ahead of Thursday's vote, further questions about Trump's former personal attorney have come to light.

"Let's remember, there essentially was never really a true lawsuit here," McCabe said. "The president sued the IRS for $10 billion. The Department of Justice never even answered the complaint. So, there were never two opposing parties. The Justice Department never stood up and defended the United States in the way that it did in every other suit brought by the same leak from the same person."

This was unusual, McCabe explained.

"And because of that oddity, that's a very suspicious decision on the part of people like Todd Blanche and others," he said. "The lack of a true controversy meant that the entire thing was about to get dismissed. Before that could happen, they entered into these agreements. One of them, of course, created the weaponization fund, and the second one essentially granted complete immunity forever to Donald Trump, his family members and businesses."

McCabe described the situation further.

"It was basically a giveaway from the Department of Justice to the president," McCabe said. "How this thing stands or was ever conceived — I have no idea. I've been around many, many settlements of criminal matters, some of which involved IRS criminal matters, and have never seen any language like this. I think it's absolutely unprecedented and an incredibly bad idea."

The IRS settlement became a sticking point for some Republican senators during Blanche's confirmation hearing. On Tuesday, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said there is no deal on Blanche's confirmation because of the settlement and the so-called anti-weaponization fund, Politico reported.

CNN's Kasie Hunt throws Scott Jennings' prediction about his old boss back in his face

CNN conservative pundit Scott Jennings was teased on-air Thursday for suggesting that Sen. Mitch McConnell would likely release a new statement sometime by Monday.

During a segment with CNN anchor Kasie Hunt, Jennings was asked if he had heard anything new from McConnell. Jennings claimed earlier this month that he had a 17-minute phone call with McConnell, whom he has known since he was a teenager and previously worked for. The MAGA commentator has faced growing criticism over his comments, including a network statement that the company would not vouch for Jennings' comments — and that they don't represent the organization's reporting.

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed concern about McConnell's absence since he went missing from Congress 39 days ago for undisclosed medical treatment. Two weeks ago, his team released an image of him with his wife Elaine Chao, but that hasn't quelled the skepticism and questions surrounding his unknown condition.

"I know he continues to do his rehab activities," Jennings said. "I know he's still following doctor's orders, and my assumption is sometime between now and Monday, they'll probably issue another update on how he's coming along. I don't know if they've made any decisions about whether he's going to be cleared to come back to work or not, but I would be surprised if we don't hear from them again by the weekend or by Monday."

Jennings argued that he thinks McConnell should "routinely" update his constituents on his health and "keep people apprised of the issues that he's looking in on, of the work that he's doing with his staff, and just be transparent about the things that he can do, even while he's convalescing and recovering."

"Truthfully, I think a little transparency on the front end here would have saved him a whole lot of grief," Jennings added. "But that didn't happen. And they are where they are now. But I think regular updates on things are good to do, and that'd be my advice."

Hunt commented, "I think last time that you and I spoke about this very topic, you said the exact same thing. You were like, 'Ask me on Monday.'"

Jennings joked that "the oracle of Kentucky" was right.

Fellow CNN panelist and commentator Xochitl Hinojosa had a direct question for Jennings: "At what point do you think that maybe he should resign from his seat?"

Jennings seemed surprised by the question.

"Give up his seat because he is not able to do the job of a U.S. senator," Hinojosa said.

"Well, he's not voting, Scott," Hunt added.

"And he's getting paid," Hinojosa said.

Supreme Court expert reveals 'compelling moment' from Amy Coney Barrett's 'raw testimony'

CNN Chief Supreme Court Analyst Joan Biskupic described the "compelling moment" Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett shared during her testimony before Congress on Tuesday.

Barrett and Justice Elena Kagan made a rare appearance on Capitol Hill to testify before the House Appropriations subcommittee and requested a $16.6 million budget increase amid escalating threats against judges. Biskupic described the "raw testimony" during the live broadcast with CNN anchor Boris Sanchez — and a moment that caught her attention during the hearing.

"This morning they were before House members making their pitch for more security, explaining the kinds of needs they have both for more officers at their residence, more officers at the Supreme Court, a better screening system for people who are going into the court, visitors, and then also cybersecurity," Biskupic said. "We know that there have been some leaks from the court, but they're very much worried about what kind of cybersecurity risks they have right now. And I have to say, a very compelling moment came early in the hearing when Justice Barrett, who was up there with Justice Kagan, talked personally about what the security threats have meant to her and her family."

Barrett revealed how it impacted her child.

"When threats to my life were particularly intense a few years ago, around the time of the Dobbs leak, my security detail sent me home with a bulletproof vest, and I carried it into my house, put it into my bedroom, dropped it down on a table, turned around, and my 12-year-old son was standing in the doorway of my bedroom," Barrett said. "And he wanted to know what it was and why I had it, and I didn't know how to respond because, maybe I lack imagination, but I didn't expect that performing this service was going to put me in the position of explaining to my children what a bulletproof vest was, and why I had to wear one."

Biskupic reacted to the comments, and another troubling incident that Barrett spoke about.

"Pretty raw testimony there, Boris," Biskupic said. "She also talked about just a few weeks ago, her family was the victim of a swatting incident where another son had gone out to the front porch and saw all these police officers there because there had been a false call into police."

Trump rage-quits press gaggle after CNN's Kaitlan Collins questions new war strikes

CNN's Kaitlan Collins pressed President Donald Trump about the war in Iran when he decided to suddenly end a White House press conference on Monday.

Trump was speaking at the Oval Office to a group of reporters when he cut the questions short and lashed out against the network. The president had told reporters that the United States had plans to ramp up attacks on Iran, as Trump had ordered a new blockade against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.

"The US is bombing Iran again. You've been bombing Iran for months now. Is this just the new normal for the American people?" Collins asked.

Trump started to complain about CNN and its coverage of the Iran war.

"All they have is fake news because the fake news would rather see us lose the war," Trump said.

Collins responded to Trump.

"You argued Iran couldn't have ballistic missiles," Collins said.

But Trump kept talking about CNN and "fake news."

"Which is really treasonous in a certain way. So we're doing another very major attack tonight," Trump said.

Trump abruptly ended the press conference after his rant to Collins, and aides hurriedly shuffled reporters out of the room.

TRUMP: All they have is fake news because the fake news would rather see us lose the war

COLLINS: You argued Iran couldn't have ballistic missiles

TRUMP: Which is really treasonous in a certain way. So we're doing another very major attack tonight. pic.twitter.com/dwe58GUgul
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 13, 2026