CNN is under fire after media figure Brian Stelter shared a tweet that critics say irresponsibly politicized the recent shooting of two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota. The incident, which involved a suspect reportedly tied to an appointee of Governor Tim Walz, quickly turned into a media controversy.
CNN Reporters Spark Controversy Before Facts Are Known
Before all the details were confirmed, CNN’s Edward-Isaac Dovere posted a tweet listing a series of troubling events in American politics, including the shooting:
“In the last week, Marines were deployed in an American city, the president has called for a governor to be arrested, the Speaker of the House has called for that governor to be tarred and feathered, a senator was pinned and handcuffed, and two state legislators have been shot in their homes.”
Brian Stelter then quote-tweeted this message and added his own commentary:
“And it all points in the same direction.”
That short sentence sparked immediate backlash, with critics accusing Stelter of using the tragedy to push a political narrative.
Media Critics Demand Stelter’s Termination
Stephen L. Miller, host of the media analysis podcast Versus Media on Substack, called for CNN to terminate Stelter, saying the tweet was more damaging than the one that led to ABC’s Terry Moran being let go. Miller argued that Stelter crossed a line by suggesting a connection between political rhetoric and the Minnesota attack without any verified evidence.
Fox News contributor and media analyst Joe Concha also joined the call for action, labeling Stelter’s post “reckless” and “irresponsible.”
CNN Facing Ongoing Trust and Ratings Issues
Since the 2024 presidential election, CNN has seen a significant drop in viewership. Many critics have pointed to the network’s perceived bias and partisan approach as contributing factors. The recent backlash involving Stelter has reignited conversations about credibility, journalistic standards, and the role of opinion in news coverage.
Stelter, who previously hosted CNN’s now-canceled show Reliable Sources, has long been a polarizing figure. Whether CNN responds to the latest criticism remains to be seen, but the pressure from both inside and outside the media industry is clearly mounting.
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