Trump’s treason – President Donald Trump accused a major news network and a New York Times correspondent of “treason” over Iran war coverage, arguing the U.S. had achieved total victory. A TV host pushed back, saying the accusations were “deranged” and “dangerous,” pointing to
On Air Force One Friday. President Donald Trump launched a two-minute attack on a New York Times reporter and on CNN. accusing them of “treason” over their Iran war coverage and calling the correspondent a “fake guy.” He also claimed the U.S.. “had a total military victory” in Iran. then complained “fake news” outlets “write about it incorrectly. ” insisting the coverage undermined his depiction of the conflict.
Trump’s remarks included a blunt accusation directed at the White House and national security correspondent.. “I actually think it’s sort of treasonous what you write. but you and The New York Times and CNN. you should be ashamed of this. ” he told them.. “I actually think it’s treason when you write like they’re doing well militarily.”
Jake Tapper. speaking on “The Lead” Friday. rejected the accusation and called Trump’s framing “deranged” and “dangerous.” He said. “The New York Times has not reported that the Iranians are ‘doing well militarily. ’ nor has CNN. ” adding. “The New York Times and CNN have reported. as is accurate. that despite devastating U.S.. and Israeli blows … the Iranians continue to have some military abilities.” Tapper also said the allegation is “all part of a Trump campaign.”
He pointed to a Truth Social post from earlier this week. quoting it directly: ’When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well. Military. against us. it’s virtual TREASON in that it is such a false. and even preposterous. statement.. They are aiding and abetting the enemy!’ Tapper argued that the president’s response was aimed at the facts being reported. not at the underlying constitutional definition.
Tapper said The New York Times on Tuesday reported that U.S.. intelligence itself shows Iran still has “operational access to 30 of its 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz. ” through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes. describing that as a contradiction to Trump’s claim of complete U.S.. dominance.. He said CNN similarly cited U.S.. intelligence in April when reporting. “Roughly half of Iran’s missile launchers are still intact and thousands of one-way attack drones remain in Iran’s arsenal.” Tapper then emphasized Friday. “All of what the Times and CNN have reported is 100% true.”
“This is what the intelligence run by Trump administration agencies is assessing,” Tapper said.. “Now the second point. reporting these facts isn’t treason and it’s deranged for any president to say such a thing — and potentially dangerous for the reporters he’s accusing of treason.” He further argued that the Constitution defines treason as “levying war” against the U.S.. or “adhering to their Enemies. giving them Aid and Comfort.” Tapper said courts have long defined treason as “concrete actions with traitorous intent. not reporting facts.”
“The president’s real issue here is not with us,” Tapper said Friday.. “It is with the facts that we are reporting and with the intelligence reports that contradict his claims.. His real issue is the fact that the war isn’t over.” He closed with: “And it seems his real issue is that there are still some of us willing to tell the American people these facts despite his best efforts.”
The dispute hinges on a single conflict between claimed end-state and ongoing capability: Trump frames reporting about Iran as “treasonous” when it suggests Iran still has military abilities. while Tapper points to published accounts tied to U.S.. intelligence assessments describing continued access to missile sites and remaining missile launchers and drones.
United States politics Donald Trump Iran war coverage treason accusation Jake Tapper CNN New York Times David Sanger White House Air Force One Truth Social intelligence assessments