(PatriotNews.net) – CNN’s Erin Burnett sparked outrage after claiming Iranians chanting “Death to America” were actually friendly to her, prompting former President Trump to blast the network as “gutless losers” and “scum” for downplaying Iranian hostility.
Key Takeaways
- CNN’s Erin Burnett described Iranians chanting “Death to America” as simultaneously being friendly to her as an American journalist, calling it a “jarring juxtaposition”
- Former President Trump condemned Burnett’s remarks, calling CNN reporters “gutless losers” and “scum” for minimizing Iranian threats
- Burnett made these controversial comments during a live segment on “Inside Politics with Dana Bash” while reporting from the United Arab Emirates
- The controversy erupted amid a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel that both sides had reportedly violated
- Fox News panelists amplified criticism of Burnett’s characterization, questioning her downplaying of Iranian hostility
CNN Host Downplays “Death to America” Chants as Friendly Banter
In what can only be described as a stunning display of media tone-deafness, CNN host Erin Burnett sparked nationwide controversy on June 25, 2025, by reminiscing about her warm reception in Iran despite witnessing crowds chanting for America’s destruction. During a live segment on “Inside Politics with Dana Bash,” Burnett, reporting from the United Arab Emirates, recalled her experience in Tehran where Iranians who shouted “Death to America” were paradoxically “happy to speak” with her as an American journalist, describing this contradiction as a “jarring juxtaposition.”
“You know, I was in Tehran when they were chanting ‘Death to America’ once,” Burnett casually remarked on air. “I was at a rally, the people couldn’t have been more friendly to me personally as an American and an American journalist. It’s sort of this jarring juxtaposition that you get used to sort of whiplash.”
Trump Blasts CNN for Excusing Iranian Hostility
Former President Donald Trump wasted no time condemning Burnett’s remarks, using the incident to highlight what he perceives as mainstream media’s willingness to downplay threats from America’s adversaries. In a blistering response, Trump called CNN reporters “gutless losers” and “scum” for minimizing the significance of Iranian hostility while also downplaying the success of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. His criticism reflected growing conservative frustration with media narratives that seem to excuse or rationalize anti-American sentiment abroad.
Trump emphasized the real-world consequences of Iran’s hostility, stating, “For 40 years, Iran has been saying, ‘Death to America. Death to Israel.’… We lost over a thousand people.” This statement served as a stark reminder of the human cost of terrorist activities linked to Iranian-backed groups, creating a powerful contrast to Burnett’s casual characterization of “Death to America” chants as somehow disconnected from genuine hostility toward the United States.
Media Elites Versus Reality on the Ground
Burnett’s comments came at a particularly sensitive time, as both Israel and Iran had reportedly violated their recent ceasefire agreement. Despite these violations, Burnett noted “optimism” among regional observers that the fragile peace would hold. This rosy assessment, combined with her dismissive attitude toward explicit anti-American rhetoric, exemplifies the disconnect many Americans perceive between media elites and the harsh realities of international relations, particularly in regions where American interests and personnel face constant threats.
Fox News panelists amplified criticism of Burnett’s characterization, questioning her apparent attempt to normalize Iranian hostility amid ongoing security concerns. The panel highlighted the dangerous naivety of separating political rhetoric from action when dealing with regimes that have consistently backed their anti-American words with support for terrorism and regional destabilization. This criticism reflects broader concerns about media outlets potentially providing cover for hostile foreign powers.
The Dangerous Game of Downplaying Threats
The controversy surrounding Burnett’s comments reveals a troubling pattern in mainstream media coverage of adversarial nations. By emphasizing isolated personal interactions over documented state hostility, journalists risk creating a misleading impression of countries whose governments actively work against American interests. This “personal friendliness” narrative conveniently ignores Iran’s long history of supporting terrorist organizations, developing nuclear capabilities, and threatening regional allies like Israel.
For many Americans, particularly those who have served in the military or lost loved ones to terrorism, Burnett’s characterization feels not just inaccurate but deeply offensive. It suggests that explicit threats against America should be interpreted as mere cultural expressions rather than genuine declarations of hostile intent. This perspective fails to acknowledge the reality that Iran’s government has consistently matched its anti-American rhetoric with concrete actions designed to undermine U.S. security interests.
Copyright 2025, PatriotNews.net
