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Dana Bash Gives Remarks After CNN Cuts Away From Oval Office Remarks
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Dana Bash Gives Remarks After CNN Cuts Away From Oval Office Remarks

CNN anchor Dana Bash cut away from live coverage of President Donald Trump’s Oval Office meeting with Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele on Monday, following Trump’s assertion that CNN “hates our country.” The interruption came as Trump criticized media coverage of his immigration policies, alleging that CNN selectively reports statistics that undermine his administration's success.

During the meeting, Trump cited a dramatic drop in illegal border crossings, crediting cooperation with El Salvador. President Bukele echoed those claims, saying border crossings had dropped “95%.” Trump corrected him, stating the figure had reached “99.1 percent.” The exchange was framed around what both leaders characterized as a lack of media coverage on positive immigration developments.

“Why are those numbers not in the media?” Bukele asked.

Trump responded directly, “They get out with the fake news, you know, like CNN... I think they hate our country, actually.”

Following the remark, Bash interjected on-air: “I just want to say, for the record, since we heard President Trump say in the Oval Office that CNN hates our country, CNN does not hate our country. That should go without saying.” She added that Trump’s comment was a rhetorical tactic and pivoted the segment back to discussing the policy implications of the Oval Office meeting.

The exchange reflects persistent tensions between Trump and CNN, a dynamic that dates back to his first term. Trump has frequently targeted the network for what he describes as biased or misleading reporting. CNN has routinely rebutted those claims and emphasized its role as an independent news organization.

The latest remarks came during a policy-driven event centered on immigration enforcement and regional cooperation. Trump and Bukele focused on bilateral success in curbing illegal migration, highlighting it as a model for U.S. foreign policy. However, Trump’s return to media criticism—particularly aimed at CNN—once again shifted attention from the event’s substance to the broader debate over media objectivity and political rhetoric.

CNN has not issued an official statement beyond Bash’s on-air remarks. The White House has not responded to follow-up inquiries regarding the president’s comment.

Written by Arthur Higgens - April 15, 2025