(DailyChive.com) – CNN’s Erin Burnett sparked outrage after dismissing Iranian “Death to America” chants as merely rhetorical while praising the population’s “friendliness” toward Americans, drawing fierce condemnation from President Trump who labeled CNN reporters “gutless losers” and “scum.”
Key Takeaways
- CNN’s Erin Burnett described Iranians chanting “Death to America” while being personally friendly to her as a “jarring juxtaposition” during a live segment from the UAE
- President Trump condemned Burnett’s remarks, calling CNN reporters “gutless losers” and “scum” for downplaying Iranian hostility
- Trump cited Iran’s decades-long “Death to America” rhetoric as justification for recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities
- The controversy erupted amid a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel that both sides had reportedly violated
- Fox News panelists criticized Burnett’s characterization as dangerously dismissive of documented Iranian threats against America
CNN Host Downplays “Death to America” Chants as Merely Rhetorical
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 attempting to normalize Iranian “Death to America” chants. During a live segment on “Inside Politics with Dana Bash” broadcast from the United Arab Emirates, Burnett casually recalled her experience in Tehran years earlier, where she witnessed Iranians shouting death threats against our nation while supposedly showing personal warmth toward her as an American journalist.
Burnett characterized this alarming contradiction as a “jarring juxtaposition,” suggesting Americans shouldn’t take Iranian death threats seriously. “I was in Tehran when they were chanting ‘Death to America’ once,” Burnett told viewers with remarkable nonchalance. “I was the correspondent for CNN, and people were friendly and happy to speak to me.” Her comments implied that explicit threats against America were merely performative rhetoric rather than genuine hostility from a regime that has actively funded terrorism against U.S. interests for decades.
Trump Blasts CNN for Minimizing Iranian Threats
President Donald Trump wasted no time condemning Burnett’s remarks, calling CNN reporters “gutless losers” and “scum” for downplaying the success of recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump’s forceful response highlighted the dangerous naivety of Burnett’s characterization, especially coming from a major American news network during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East. The president’s rebuke underscored the disconnect between mainstream media’s soft approach to hostile regimes and the harsh realities of international threats.
In a separate address that cut to the heart of the issue, Trump cited Iran’s decades-long hostility as clear justification for military action. “For 40 years, Iran has been saying, ‘Death to America. Death to Israel.’… We lost over a thousand people,” Trump stated, referencing the human cost of Iranian-backed terrorism. While CNN personalities like Burnett seemed eager to dismiss these chants as meaningless, the president reminded Americans of the very real consequences of Iranian aggression that has claimed American lives.
Media Whitewashing of Anti-American Sentiment
Burnett’s comments came at a particularly sensitive moment, as both Israel and Iran had reportedly violated their recent ceasefire agreement. Despite this troubling development, the CNN host oddly expressed “optimism” that the fragile peace would hold. This rosy assessment stands in stark contrast to Iran’s continued funding of terrorist proxies throughout the region and its relentless pursuit of nuclear capabilities – facts conveniently omitted from Burnett’s analysis.
Fox News panelists quickly highlighted the dangerous implications of Burnett’s characterization. The panel questioned why a prominent American journalist would minimize explicit threats against her own country, especially from a regime with a documented history of hostility toward the United States. This critique points to a broader pattern of certain media outlets softening their coverage of adversarial nations while maintaining harsh scrutiny of American policies and leadership.
Double Standards in Media Coverage
The controversy surrounding Burnett’s remarks reveals the troubling double standard in how some American media outlets cover foreign adversaries versus domestic politics. While CNN personalities routinely express alarm over rhetoric from conservative American politicians, Burnett appeared remarkably unbothered by explicit Iranian death threats against her own country. This selective outrage suggests political bias rather than consistent journalistic principles, leaving many Americans questioning whose interests these news organizations truly serve.
For American taxpayers funding billions in foreign aid and military operations to protect our national security interests, Burnett’s casual dismissal of Iranian hostility represents an insulting minimization of genuine threats. While everyday Americans shoulder the economic burden of inflation and struggle with rising costs, elite media figures like Burnett seem more concerned with portraying America’s enemies in a sympathetic light than acknowledging the legitimate security concerns that drive U.S. foreign policy decisions.
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