President Donald Trump has taken aim at CNN following the network’s coverage of a leaked intelligence report regarding recent U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
The President called on CNN to fire national security reporter Natasha Bertrand, accusing her of promoting false narratives.
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The controversy centers around a leaked report that characterized the damage to Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities as minimal.
The report, classified as top secret with low confidence, was circulated on CNN and raised questions about the effectiveness of Operation Midnight Hammer, the coordinated U.S. strike targeting key components of Iran’s nuclear program.
At a press conference during the NATO summit earlier this week, President Trump directly challenged the credibility of the report and CNN’s coverage.
“I think it’s disgraceful,” Trump said.
“They’re undermining our military and pushing disinformation that helps Iran. CNN should fire Natasha Bertrand immediately.”
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Bertrand has been criticized in conservative circles for her previous reporting on the Hunter Biden laptop story.
In 2020, she published a widely circulated article citing a letter signed by 51 former intelligence officials who suggested the laptop story had the hallmarks of Russian disinformation.
Same. Reporter. https://t.co/soWmFGLWa4 pic.twitter.com/uXhLtMZfJJ
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) June 24, 2025
The authenticity of the laptop and its contents have since been verified by multiple sources.
Trump and senior officials in his administration have argued that the narrative being pushed by CNN about the Iran strikes is inaccurate and harmful to U.S. national security.
They pointed to public statements from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who confirmed that the operation significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“New intelligence confirms what @POTUS has stated numerous times: Iran’s nuclear facilities have been destroyed.,” Gabbard said.
“If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely, which would likely take years to do.”
New intelligence confirms what @POTUS has stated numerous times: Iran’s nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely, which would likely take years to do.
The…
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) June 25, 2025
According to sources close to the White House, the leak is suspected to have originated from congressional staff members with ties to Democratic lawmakers.
Officials note that the classified nature of the document, combined with its sudden appearance in the media, raises questions about political motives.
“It’s extremely suspicious that a report marked top secret and low confidence gets leaked the moment Democrats want to control the narrative,” a senior White House official said.
CNN anchor Dana Bash addressed Trump’s criticism on air, denying that the network had disrespected the military.
“No one here is denigrating our troops,” Bash said.
“What we’re doing is reporting the facts as they come in.”
Bash went on to suggest that Trump was trying to steer the conversation away from broader questions about the Middle East conflict.
“It’s another example of him trying to manipulate the conversation,” she said.
Dana Bash is very triggered over Trump calling out Fake News CNN at his NATO presser.
“He is trying to manipulate the conversation!”
Trump once again puts the propaganda press on their heels. pic.twitter.com/JVSvQzz9Rh
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) June 25, 2025
Despite CNN’s defense, the Trump administration continues to push back forcefully.
Senior officials have emphasized that the operation was successful and that any claims to the contrary are intended to discredit the military and the administration.
My statement confirming CIA intelligence which contradicts illegally sourced public reporting regarding the destruction of key Iranian nuclear facilities. pic.twitter.com/Ln3b4hfELc
— CIA Director John Ratcliffe (@CIADirector) June 25, 2025
As tensions in the region remain high, the administration is signaling that it will not tolerate disinformation, especially when it involves national security operations.
The backlash against CNN is expected to continue as the White House calls for accountability over the handling of the intelligence leak.
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