Defense Secretary Blasts CNN, NYT Over Leaked Intel Reports

Defense Secretary Blasts CNN, NYT Over Leaked Intel Reports

(DailyChive.com) – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth exposed CNN and The New York Times for deliberately undermining America’s national security by publishing leaked intelligence designed to make Trump’s historic strike on Iran’s nuclear program look like a failure.

Key Takeaways

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth slammed CNN and The New York Times for publishing leaked preliminary intelligence assessments that contradicted the actual success of the Iran strikes
  • CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Iran’s nuclear program was “severely damaged” and would take “years to rebuild,” contradicting the leaked DIA assessment
  • President Trump called for the firing of reporters who published “FAKE stories” about the operation’s effectiveness
  • The administration presented video evidence of bunker-buster bomb tests to demonstrate the overwhelming success of the strikes
  • Hegseth accused mainstream media outlets of having anti-Trump bias “in their DNA and in their blood”

Media Caught Red-Handed Undermining National Security

In a fiery press conference on June 26, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth exposed the mainstream media’s deliberate campaign to undermine one of America’s most significant military achievements. Hegseth didn’t mince words as he confronted reporters about their rush to publish a leaked Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment that falsely claimed U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities had only set the program back by “months.” The Defense Secretary methodically dismantled this narrative, revealing it as nothing more than a politically motivated attempt to sabotage President Trump’s decisive action against the Iranian regime.

“You all breathlessly reported this because you cheer against Trump so hard — in your DNA and in your blood,” Hegseth declared, directly calling out CNN and The New York Times for their eagerness to run with unverified intelligence leaks. The Defense Secretary’s frustration was palpable as he explained how these media outlets had deliberately ignored crucial context about the preliminary nature of the assessment, choosing instead to push a narrative that served their anti-Trump agenda rather than reporting the full truth to the American people.

CIA Director Confirms Devastating Impact on Iran’s Nuclear Program

While CNN and The New York Times were busy promoting the leaked preliminary assessment, CIA Director John Ratcliffe issued a definitive statement that completely contradicted their narrative. “Several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years,” Ratcliffe confirmed, citing new intelligence that painted a dramatically different picture than the one being pushed by left-leaning media outlets. This authoritative assessment from America’s top intelligence official made it clear that President Trump’s decisive action had delivered exactly what was promised: a severe blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The stark contrast between the CIA’s comprehensive assessment and the leaked DIA report exposed the media’s rush to judgment. The DIA’s preliminary analysis was a “low confidence assessment” compiled immediately after the strikes, before intelligence agencies had time to gather and analyze all available data. Yet CNN and The New York Times presented this incomplete information as definitive, deliberately ignoring standard intelligence protocols that require multiple sources and verification before drawing conclusions about an operation of this magnitude.

Trump Demands Accountability for Fake News

President Trump wasted no time addressing the media’s dishonesty, taking to Truth Social to demand consequences for reporters who published misleading information about the strikes. “CNN and The New York Times should fire reporters over FAKE stories,” Trump posted, highlighting the real-world impact of irresponsible journalism on national security matters. The President’s frustration reflected growing concerns among conservatives that mainstream media outlets have abandoned journalistic standards in favor of partisan attacks against the administration.

During the press conference, Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine presented compelling evidence of the strikes’ effectiveness, including video footage of bunker-buster bomb tests that demonstrated the overwhelming destructive power of the weapons used against Iran’s hardened nuclear facilities. This visual proof stood in stark contrast to the media narrative that had attempted to downplay the operation’s impact, providing Americans with a rare glimpse into the sophisticated military capabilities deployed to protect national security interests.

Media’s Anti-Trump Agenda Exposed

Hegseth’s confrontation with the press corps laid bare the ongoing battle between the Trump administration and a hostile media establishment. “These strikes were a resounding success that obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities,” Hegseth stated firmly, challenging reporters to explain why they consistently frame administration achievements in the most negative light possible. The Defense Secretary’s candid assessment resonated with millions of Americans who have grown tired of watching media outlets prioritize political narratives over honest reporting.

“The leakers aimed to muddy the waters and make it look like this historic strike wasn’t successful,” Hegseth explained, highlighting how anonymous sources within the government continue to work with sympathetic journalists to undermine the administration’s foreign policy objectives. This coordinated effort to diminish what Hegseth described as “the most complex and secretive military operation in history” revealed the lengths to which Trump’s opponents will go to deny him credit for strengthening America’s position on the world stage.

A Historic Achievement Despite Media Sabotage

Despite the media’s best efforts to downplay its significance, the operation against Iran’s nuclear program represents a watershed moment in American foreign policy. Defense Department officials confirmed the strikes utilized 30,000-pound bombs in an operation that was “15 years in the making,” demonstrating the administration’s commitment to addressing threats that previous presidents had merely monitored. By taking decisive action where his predecessors had hesitated, President Trump has fundamentally altered the security landscape in the Middle East.

“This was a historically successful strike on Iranian nuclear sites,” Hegseth declared, emphasizing that the operation had achieved its strategic objectives despite the media’s attempts to suggest otherwise. The Defense Secretary’s passionate defense of the military’s accomplishments highlighted the growing divide between Americans who want their country to project strength on the world stage and a media establishment that seems increasingly uncomfortable with American power and resolve.

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