Trump blasts CNN as El Salvador prez questions media silence on border crossings: 'They hate our country'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump ridiculed CNN when pressed by his counterpart from El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, during a meeting at the Oval Office on Monday, April 14, reported Mediaite.

The Commander-in-Chief accused the news network of "hating the country" for being critical of his administration's policies on immigrants.

During the meeting, he repeatedly attacked CNN's White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins for asking questions about the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran national from Maryland, whom the Supreme Court ruled should be returned to the United States for now.

Donald Trump's attack on CNN

During the meeting, Donald Trump claimed that more Americans were willing to sign up to serve in the armed forces to rectify the mistakes made by the previous administration in regards to border security.

“We just had numbers. We had the highest recruiting numbers in the history of our country going into police departments. And a year ago, we had the lowest numbers," he stated.

“And the military now, Marines, the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, every slot is, I mean, we have the best numbers we’ve ever had, we call it recruitment numbers, and we’ve never had anything like it. We had records on every single, at every single level, but very important, the policemen. The policemen are joining forces now."

"We’re a great country, but we had stupid people running this country. And I can say what they’ve done to us at the border should never and can never be forgotten. It’s a sin what they did, and you are helping us out, and we appreciate it," he continued, when Bukele interjected, saying, "Actually, what you’re doing with the border is remarkable. It has dropped, what, 95%? It’s incredible."

“As of this morning, 99 percent, 99.1 percent to be exact,” insisted Trump, even though Axios reported that there were "8,300 apprehensions of migrants who crossed the border unlawfully between ports of entry in February."

In February 2023 and 2024, the number stood at over 130,000.

“Why are those numbers not in the media?” Bukele jibed, leading Trump to go after liberal media networks.

"Well, they get out with the fake news, you know, like CNN. CNN over here doesn’t want to put them out because they don’t like putting out good numbers. They only like putting it out because I think they hate our country, actually,” he said.

"But it’s a shame, you’re right. Isn’t that a great question? Why doesn’t the media, why don’t they put out numbers?" Trump asked.

"Yeah, 99%. I mean, it’s crazy, right? We’re doing great. It’s a crazy time," Bukele added.

CNN anchor Dana Bash responded to Trump's statement later on air, saying, "Before I get to you, 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. I’ve been here for 32 years, and I see a rhetorical device in him trying to say such a thing. That said, I want to focus on the news that we heard.” 

Internet slams Donald Trump after he blasts CNN

Reacting to Donald Trump's remarks about CNN, people on social media slammed him for ridiculing the American news network during the Oval Office meeting with another country's leader.

"Trump is the type to let someone come to his house and talk trash about his kids just because they made a bad grade," wrote an X user.

"Where is this guy's suit? So it's okay HE doesn't wear one but they make fun of Zelensky because he wasn't wearing one? I truly DESPISE Republicans now," said another while slamming Bukele.

"Trump really hates CNN. It's bizarre," noted one person.

"Fascism is anti media. They do not want anyone reporting on what they are doing and only want propaganda channels," another remarked.

"Dictators of a feather," one person wrote.

"Trump's great at hate," added another.

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.