CNN recently issued an on-air retraction after admitting to using “digitally altered” photos of President Trump and right-wing activist Laura Loomer. The network came under fire after it was revealed that the images had been shown during multiple segments on Friday and Saturday, with hosts like Anderson Cooper “unknowingly” airing the manipulated photos.
In a video posted by Loomer on X (formerly Twitter), CNN acknowledged the mistake. “Friday evening and on Saturday, CNN aired a number of segments that briefly showed an image of former President Donald Trump and Laura Loomer taken from social media,” the network’s host explained. “On review, this image had been digitally altered by a third party and should not have been included. We regret the error.”
WATCH:
CNN @CNN was just forced to issue an on air retraction after @andersoncooper and other hosts ran fake & photoshopped pictures of me and President Trump on air last week in an effort to demonize me for the crime of flying on his plane to the Presidential debate. pic.twitter.com/bdXJHG2doF
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 26, 2024
Despite the on-air correction, Loomer didn’t hold back in her response, especially targeting Cooper for not personally addressing the mistake. In another post on X, she criticized the CNN host for sending “a female colleague” to issue the apology. Loomer’s frustration was palpable as she threatened legal action if CNN did not issue a written retraction. “If you do not issue a retraction in writing on X for showing fake and photoshopped pics of me and President Trump… I will sue you,” Loomer wrote.
She further expressed outrage over what she saw as a “misogynistic” and “defamatory” attack, calling out Cooper directly: “How much of a coward do you have to be to use fake pics to defame me and @realDonaldTrump and then not apologize yourself?”
Hey @andersoncooper
Why are you sending a female colleague of yours to apologize for your defamation?
If you do not issue a retraction in writing on X for showing fake and photoshopped pics of me and President Trump in an effort to spew a sick, misogynistic, and defamatory… https://t.co/UCTeFJURfh pic.twitter.com/uFbkfcMdfa
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 26, 2024
This incident has sparked yet another round of controversy for CNN, which has faced criticism in the past for biased reporting. While the network took steps to address the mistake, Loomer’s threat of a lawsuit underscores the high-stakes environment of political media, where even minor errors can quickly escalate into legal and public relations battles. Whether CNN will meet Loomer’s demands for a written retraction remains to be seen, but the episode has already fueled further distrust from right-wing figures toward mainstream media.
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