'This is only the beginning': Internet pans Karoline Leavitt for claiming CNN is 'pushing lies' about Donald Trump

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump campaign's 2024 National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has accused CNN of censorship after being cut off during a 'CNN This Morning' interview on Monday, June 24.

The incident occurred while Leavitt discussed the upcoming first presidential debate and criticized CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, moderating the June 27 debate. 

Karoline Leavitt says CNN can't handle the truth 

The interview gained significant attention when Kasie Hunt, the show's host, ended the segment abruptly as Leavitt attacked her colleagues, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, accusing them of bias against former President Trump.

On 'Hannity,' Leavitt claimed, "CNN censored me today because they can't handle the truth. They have been pushing lies about President Trump since he stepped into the political arena eight years ago."

Leavitt's comments were in response to Hunt defending her colleagues during the interview.

Hunt, while defending her colleagues, told Leavitt, "Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are well-respected veteran journalists who have covered politics for more than five decades combined. They have extensive experience moderating major political debates."

Hunt eventually cut off the interview after she repeatedly criticized her colleagues, leading to Leavitt's criticism of CNN's segment handling. Notably, CNN also received backlash for cutting her off mid-air.

Karoline Leavitt berates CNN saying 'they are not' the most trusted name in the news 

Leavitt continued her criticism saying, "[CNN] still wants Americans to believe, laughably, that they're the most trusted name in news. They are not."

She argued that "CNN have an anti-Trump bias that is at the core of their organization and we should not expect anything less from them at Thursday night's debate."

"Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are well-respected veteran journalists who have covered politics for more than five decades combined," A CNN spokesperson responded to Leavitt's claims as Fox News reported.

"They have extensive experience moderating major political debates, including CNN’s Republican Presidential Primary Debate this cycle. There are no two people better equipped to co-moderate a substantial and fact-based discussion," the spokesperson added. 

Both Biden and Trump have agreed to the rules of the debate which include muted microphones outside their speaking time, no live audience, no pre-written notes, and no consulting with campaign aides during breaks.

Internet reacts to Karoline Leavitt's claims against CNN

Although Leavitt gained moderate support after CNN cut her mid-air, however, after claiming they had Trump bias and can't handle the truth she received backlash from certain sections on the internet. 

One user wrote on X, "They just got tired of Trump's whining. Do the debate, or don't. Just stop crying."

Another commented, "Most other channels don’t want trash and lie on their channels."

"This is only the beginning. I hope this becomes the norm. Answer the questions asked or shut up and go away," one more reflected.

"OFF TOPIC gets you shut down on a real news channel," wrote one more. Another pointed out, "They shut down disinformation, unlike Fox."

One commenter wrote, "Actually, you were given an opportunity to answer the host’s questions, but instead you didn’t. Instead you went on with your attacking talking points. You ‘censored’ yourself."

"CNN gets distraught when people don't fall in line," one criticized the network over the interview. 

Before this, in a statement to Newsweek, Leavitt maintained that the interview demonstrates Trump will not receive fair treatment at the debate.

"CNN cutting off my microphone for bringing up a debate moderator's history of anti-Trump lies just proves our point that President Trump will not be treated fairly in Thursday's debate," Leavitt said.

"Yet President Trump is still willing to go into this 3-1 fight to bring his winning message to the American people, and he will win," she added.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.