CNN’s Jake Tapper stepped into a firestorm on Thursday with a slip of the tongue that’s got everyone talking.
The New York Post reported that during his show "The Lead," Tapper mistakenly called Brian Cole Jr., the accused DC pipe-bomber who is Black, a "white man," while discussing Cole’s arrest for allegedly planting explosives near political headquarters in Washington, DC, on January 5, 2021.
Let’s rewind to the beginning of this saga, starting with the allegations against Cole that predate the recent controversy. Authorities claim that as early as 2019, Cole, now 30, began crafting crude bombs using 8-inch galvanized pipes.
They allege he sourced materials from major hardware stores and retailers like Walmart, building a dangerous arsenal over time.
Fast forward to January 5, 2021, when Cole is accused of placing pipe bombs outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee buildings in the nation’s capital.
The timing—on the eve of Congress certifying electoral votes—raised alarms about potential chaos. One of those bombs was discovered the next day outside the RNC.
Even after allegedly planting the devices, investigators say Cole didn’t stop, continuing to purchase bomb-making components. This persistence, according to a criminal complaint, paints a picture of calculated intent. It’s chilling to think how long this went undetected.
For nearly five years, the investigation into these pipe bombs languished, with US Attorney Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel claiming crucial evidence sat idle under the Biden administration.
A $500,000 reward, renewed by the Trump administration for information leading to an arrest, ultimately went unclaimed as federal authorities made the bust themselves. It’s a stark reminder of how bureaucratic delays can frustrate justice.
Early Thursday morning, authorities finally apprehended Cole at his home in Woodbridge, Virginia. He now faces serious charges, including the use of an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction with explosive materials. The arrest marks a long-overdue breakthrough in a case that gripped national attention.
But the story took a sharp turn later that day when CNN became the first to publish a photo of Cole, sourced from his mother’s Instagram account, around 5:01 p.m.
That’s when Tapper, during his opening segment on “The Lead,” made the eyebrow-raising error of describing Cole as a “white man.” Given that Cole is Black—and his father, also Black, once worked with attorney Ben Crump on racial discrimination cases—the gaffe couldn’t have been more poorly timed.
Social media erupted, with conservative pundit Benny Johnson posting on X, “You can’t make this stuff up.” And he’s right— in an era where every word is dissected, a misstep like this fuels distrust in mainstream media’s attention to detail. It’s not just a slip; it’s a spotlight on how narratives can be muddled by carelessness.
Another user on X chimed in with a sarcastic jab, “Jake is sharp as a tack. Nothing gets past him. Dude’s elite!” While the humor stings, it underscores a broader frustration with media figures who seem detached from the facts they report.
Conservative influencer Nick Sorter didn’t hold back either, accusing CNN of pushing “anti-white rhetoric.” While that charge may overreach, it’s hard to ignore how such errors amplify perceptions of bias in newsrooms. A simple fact-check could have avoided this mess.
Tapper’s blunder isn’t just a one-off; it’s a symptom of a larger cultural disconnect that many on the right feel with legacy media. When basic details like a suspect’s race are misreported, it erodes confidence in outlets already under scrutiny for pushing progressive agendas. And yet, fairness demands acknowledging that mistakes happen under live TV pressure.
Still, the timing of Tapper’s error—right as Cole’s face was broadcast—raises questions about preparation. Was this a scriptwriter’s oversight or a failure to glance at the accompanying graphics? Either way, it’s a reminder that precision matters, especially in politically charged cases.
