'CNN is fake news': Trump mocks reporter during Oval Office photo op

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump once again took a jab at CNN while fielding questions from reporters in the Oval Office.

According to Mediaite, the exchange happened on Thursday, September 25, during his joint appearance with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Trump called on Yunus Paksoy, a reporter for CNN’s Turkish affiliate, CNN Türk. As soon as he heard the network’s name, Trump couldn’t resist, quipping, “CNN fake news.”

Donald Trump jokingly slams CNN

When Donald Trump realized which network Paksoy represented, he made light of it before continuing. Paksoy asked about the Obama-era decision not to sell Patriot missile defense systems to Turkey and how Trump might reverse what he described as “stupidity.”

Before answering, Trump joked, “CNN? Wow, because you sounded like a nice guy. CNN is fake news. But you sound like the real deal to me, so I’ll answer the question.”

Trump said discussions on the Patriots, the F-35 program, and other defense issues were underway. “We’re going to be discussing the Patriot system, which is the best system,” he said. “We’re gonna discuss the F-35. We’ll be discussing all of the things you know about, and I think you’ll be successful with that.”

When Paksoy pressed further, Trump replied, “We haven’t even started yet. But I know he wants the F-35, and we’re talking about that very seriously. The F-16—we’re in great shape. Certain other things he needed, and I’m going to see to it that we get that to him. We’re going to come to a conclusion. You’ll know by the end of the day."

Trump closed the exchange by praising the reporter while still underscoring his stance. “I like this guy. He’s from CNN. Fake news. The worst fake news. But I like him. It’s CNN Turkey."

Donald Trump’s history of clashes with CNN

This wasn’t the first time Trump targeted CNN. He has often branded the network and its reporters “fake news.”

Back in June 2025, during a NATO summit press conference, Trump clashed with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, interrupting her with, “Oh fake news, CNN?”

More recently, Trump blasted CNN reporter Natasha Bertrand over coverage of US military strikes in Iran, saying she should be “thrown out like a dog.”