President Donald Trump unleashed a fiery rebuke against CNN and MSNBC, branding them “gutless losers” for daring to question the success of U.S. B-2 bomber strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
The Daily Caller reported that his sharp words, delivered on the White House South Lawn, reflect a deep frustration with media narratives that challenge his administration’s military triumphs. The conservative base cheers, but the media’s skepticism deserves a closer look.
Trump announced the “very successful attack” on Iran’s nuclear facilities on Saturday, claiming the strikes crippled Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. CNN and MSNBC, however, raised doubts about whether the B-2 bombs fully destroyed three sites near Tehran, prompting Trump’s outrage.
On Saturday, Trump hailed the B-2 pilots for their precision, insisting the strikes “completely demolished” the targets under the cover of darkness.
He warned Iran of “far greater” consequences if it failed to pursue peace, a bold stance that rallied supporters like John Bolton and Adam Kinzinger. Yet, the media’s hesitation to echo his victory lap sparked a predictable showdown.
CNN cited Jeffrey Lewis, a weapons expert, who called the strikes “an incomplete strike” due to the absence of bunker-buster bombs, claiming only “restricted” damage.
Such analysis, while grounded in expertise, feels like a deliberate jab at Trump’s leadership to his loyal base. The suggestion that the mission fell short dismisses the pilots’ bravery, or so Trump argues.
MSNBC joined the fray, quoting General Dan Caine, who said it was “way too early” to assess the damage meaningfully. This measured take contrasts sharply with Trump’s claim of total devastation, fueling his accusation that the networks are undermining American heroes. The media’s role is to question, but Trump sees it as betrayal.
“I think it’s been completely demolished,” Trump declared, praising the B-2 pilots for their “unbelievable job.” He accused CNN of “hurting great pilots” by questioning the extent of the destruction. The charge of disloyalty resonates with conservatives tired of what they see as relentless media nitpicking.
Iran didn’t sit idly by, launching “powerful and destructive” missile attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Qatar in retaliation. This escalation undercuts Trump’s narrative of a decisive blow, though his supporters view it as proof of Iran’s desperation. The media’s focus on Iran’s counterstrikes only deepens Trump’s scorn for their coverage.
On Monday, Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, a fleeting diplomatic win. But by Tuesday, both nations broke the agreement, leaving Trump visibly frustrated. The media’s scrutiny of this unraveling deal adds fuel to his claim that they’re more interested in criticism than context.
CNN’s Abby Phillip cautioned it was “too early” to declare the facilities “obliterated,” a statement Trump seized on as evidence of bias.
Her restraint reflects journalistic caution, but to Trump’s base, it’s just another example of the media refusing to give credit where it’s due. The truth likely lies in the messy middle.
“CNN is scum, and so is MSDNC,” Trump fumed, demanding apologies for the B-2 pilots who “did their job better than anybody could have imagined.” His colorful language energizes his supporters, who see the media as elitist and out of touch. Still, such rhetoric risks alienating moderates who value civil discourse.
CNN reported that the U.S. hit Iran’s Fordow facility with 12 bunker-buster bombs, but the survival of the Isfahan site raised questions about the mission’s success.
This fact challenges Trump’s goal of halting Iran’s nuclear threat, yet his defenders argue the media exaggerates the setback. The debate over “obliteration” feels more semantic than substantive.
“When I see CNN, all night long they’re trying to say ‘well, maybe it wasn’t as demolished as we thought,’” Trump said. He called the networks “real losers” for their skepticism. The jab lands with his base, but it sidesteps the legitimate question of whether the strikes achieved their strategic aim.
Trump’s frustration peaked when Iran and Israel shattered the Monday ceasefire by Tuesday. His vision of de-escalation crumbled, giving critics more ammunition to question his foreign policy. The media’s focus on this failure, while factual, feels selective to those who back Trump’s aggressive stance.
“We have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard, that they don’t know what the fuck they are doing,” Trump said, venting about the Iran-Israel conflict. The bluntness captures his no-nonsense style, but it risks trivializing a complex geopolitical crisis. His base loves the candor; others wince at the coarseness.
