In a cringeworthy mistake during a Friday night broadcast, CNN confused former President Barack Obama with the infamous terrorist Osama bin Laden, sparking widespread ridicule of the struggling network.
The graphic shown during “CNN News Central” read “OBAMA BIN LADEN” while covering a story about President Trump’s plan to send illegal migrants to the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba.
Although anchor Boris Sanchez did not utter the words “Obama Bin Laden” himself, the incorrect graphic appeared behind him while discussing the treatment of Al-Qaeda member Abu Zubaydah, who is still being held at the detention center.
“OBAMA BIN LADEN ASSOCIATE: ABU ZUBAYDAH,” the graphic incorrectly stated in all caps.
Obama had famously pledged to shut down the controversial Guantanamo facility, but his inability to fulfill that promise ultimately paved the way for Trump’s plan to relocate up to 30,000 criminal migrants there.
The mistake quickly became the subject of mockery online.
“CNN is gone. Might as well turn off the lights,” tweeted X user Clara Winslow.
Another user, Daniel, jokingly asked: “Freudian slip much CNN?”
Some viewers speculated that the mistake might not have been accidental.
“That was not a misprint. Shame on whoever did that,” one liberal user on X commented.
This gaffe adds to a long list of embarrassments for CNN. The network, frequently criticized by President Trump, has been struggling with declining viewership and has had to make significant cuts to its staff. Last month, CNN eliminated 200 jobs as part of a company-wide layoff. Meanwhile, outspoken anti-Trump personalities like Jim Acosta have decided to leave the network.
{Matzav.com}