Trump labeled CNN as ‘fake news’ because it reported in favor of Iran

Donald Trump’s recent accusations of “fake news” against CNN, posted on Truth Social on June 25, 2025, stem from the network’s coverage of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” a US military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Trump claimed the sites were “completely destroyed,” criticizing CNN and reporter Natasha Bertrand for alleging, based on a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment, that the strikes only temporarily disrupted Iran’s nuclear program, leaving key components like enriched uranium intact.

CNN defended its journalism, emphasizing reliance on credible sources, while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the report as “flat-out wrong.” Social media, particularly X, reflects polarized views, with some users echoing Trump’s claims and others supporting CNN’s reporting.

For readers, this underscores the importance of verifying news through primary sources, as “fake news” accusations often reflect rhetorical disagreements rather than factual errors; the DIA’s initial assessment may evolve, suggesting caution in accepting either narrative without further evidence.