CNN slammed for on-air mix-up referring to Osama bin Laden as 'Obama bin Laden'

WASHINGTON, DC: CNN triggered outrage among viewers for referring to the notorious militant leader Osama bin Laden as "Obama bin Laden" in a misspelled graphic on Friday, February 7, as per Mediaite.

The gaffe took place while network anchor Boris Sanchez was discussing the history of Guantanamo Bay on 'CNN News Central', in light of President Donald Trump's decision to use the facility to house illegal immigrants. 

When did 'Obama Bin Laden' feature on CNN?

The Guantanamo Bay facility, known for detaining militants and suspected terrorists, currently houses Abu Zubaydah, an alleged associate of Osama bin Laden.

Sanchez shared the details of a 2014 Senate report on Friday, which highlighted the torture faced by Zubaydah in the facility, including 80 instances of waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and more.

"We should also note at least nine detainees have died while in custody at Guantanamo Bay. For years, human rights organizations have criticized the operations there. And at one point, Amnesty International called Guantanamo Bay the gulag of our time," noted the CNN anchor.

However, the segment was totally derailed by an on-screen graphic that read "Obama Bin Laden Associate: Abu Zubaydah" instead of "Osama Bin Laden Associate.”

In the graphic, the first name of the late militant leader was swapped with the last name of former president Barack Obama.

Internet ridicules CNN for confusing Obama for Osama 

Soon after clips and images of the gaffe went viral across social media platforms, the network faced heat from netizens, with many calling it embarrassing.  

"Did CNN just air 'Obama Bin Laden' 😭😭," wrote a user in disbelief, while another mocked, "Yesterday CNN was talking about Big Balls. Today they’re talking about Obama Bin Laden. Great job guys!" 

A person remarked, "Things are rough at CNN. They’ve basically thrown in the towel. Obama Bin Laden?" while someone else chided, "CNN is out with reporting on Obama-bin-laden."

"CNN doesn't know the difference between Obama and Osama Bin Laden 🤣," another person jibed. 

"CNN confuses Barack Hussein Obama and Osama Bin Laden. No wonder they are going bankrupt," wrote yet another viewer. 

"This network is getting more embarrassing by the day!! Lol," exclaimed one more, with a person adding, "CNN can't help but fail."  

"There are typos… and then there are career-ending typos!" quipped one more. 

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