Staff Reports
CNN recently found itself in the embarrassing position of having to issue a retraction about digitally altered photos of former President Donald Trump and right-wing activist Laura Loomer. In an attempt to smear the right, CNN’s editorial team decided to play Doctor with some images, and the result was a media circus that left viewers chuckling at the network’s unfortunate faux pas.
In a self-inflicted PR nightmare, CNN hosts, including the well-known Anderson Cooper, displayed these doctored images during various segments. Amid the usual spin, CNN awkwardly admitted that the images in question—aimed at portraying Trump and Loomer in a negative light—were, unsurprisingly, not what they seemed. The network pontificated about their great regret, claiming that the third-party alteration of the photos was an oversight in their “commitment to accuracy.” Quite the commitment, it seems, when accuracy takes a backseat to sensationalism.
WATCH:
CNN @CNN was just forced to issue an on air retraction after @andersoncooper and other hosts ran fake & photoshopped pictures of me and President Trump on air last week in an effort to demonize me for the crime of flying on his plane to the Presidential debate. pic.twitter.com/bdXJHG2doF
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 26, 2024
Laura Loomer took to social media to capitalize on CNN’s blunder by posting the network’s retraction video, which was akin to a kid gleefully waving around a report card stained by poor grades while hypocritically criticizing the school’s grading system. Loomer expressed her dissatisfaction with Cooper’s handling of the apology, particularly the decision to send a female colleague to deliver the information rather than confronting her directly. It’s yet another chapter in the saga of media cowardice, where accountability is only issued behind closed doors—or in this case, through a less-than-ideal proxy.
Loomer also implied that CNN has a long history of defaming conservatives, making it clear that she isn’t going to let this one slide. She firmly indicated that a written retraction is required, or CNN should brace itself for legal action. It appears that CNN, now known for its self-destructive tendencies, may soon have to hire a legal team to manage the fallout from its own bullying tactics.
While CNN may be quick to apologize, the damage done to its credibility has amplified the importance of scrutinizing how media outlets participate in misinformation. Conservatives everywhere can appreciate the irony of a major news network having to retract information aimed at discrediting those on the right. In the end, this saga serves as a reminder that when the media attempts to play the smear game, they might just end up making an absolute fool of themselves instead.
