CNN host Jake Tapper incorrectly described Washington, D.C., pipe bomb suspect Brian Cole Jr. as a “30-year-old white man” during Thursday’s broadcast of The Lead, moments before his own program displayed photos showing that Cole is a black man.
There is no way you can possibly hate our lame stream media enough.
Here’s Jake Tapper talking about the arrest of the alleged J6 pipe bomber. 👇🏼
Now I ASK YOU…..
Does this guy look WHITE to you? 🤦🏼♀️ pic.twitter.com/CZZD1Rot4X— Gail Rule (@GailRule1) December 5, 2025
“Brian Cole Jr., a 30-year-old white man from the D.C. suburbs, is charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and with malicious destruction by means of explosion,” Tapper said on air.
Minutes later, The Lead aired images of the suspect that did not match Tapper’s description.
CNN host Jake Tapper “broke” the story about the arrest of 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr. for alleged involvement in the J6 pipe bomb case.
He described the suspect as a “white man.”
Brian Cole Jr. is not white. pic.twitter.com/m0Fj1M3gc7
— Media Lies (@MediasLies) December 5, 2025
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Cole, 30, was arrested and charged in connection with the pipe bombs placed outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters on January 5, 2021.
Breitbart News reported Thursday that Cole was “arrested and charged with placing the pipe bombs at the RNC and the DNC on January 5, 2021.”
The report stated he was also charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and attempted malicious destruction using explosive materials.
Additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.
According to federal officials, investigators linked Cole to the scene through a combination of license plate reader technology and cell tower data gathered nearly five years after the devices were planted.
Authorities have been working to close the case since the discovery of the explosives, which were found the day before unrest at the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement that the arrest represents the culmination of extensive investigative work.
“Today’s arrest was the result of good, diligent police work and collaboration on a case that languished for four years under the prior administration,” Bondi said.
“The American people are safer thanks to this morning’s successful operation.”
The investigation into the pipe bombs has involved multiple federal agencies.
Officials have repeatedly described the devices as viable, and the case remained a high priority due to the location of the explosives and their timing on the eve of congressional certification proceedings.
Cole’s charges include transporting an explosive device across state lines and attempted malicious destruction using explosive materials, but court filings indicate that more counts could be added as investigative teams review additional evidence.
The error made during Tapper’s broadcast circulated quickly on social media, as viewers pointed out the discrepancy between his verbal description and the images aired shortly afterward.
Federal authorities have stated that additional investigative steps remain underway and that the case will continue to develop as more information is processed and reviewed.
