# CNN, while discussing fake news, spreads fake news **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 6, 2017, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608 "2017-07-06T15:12:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/1 "2017-07-06T15:12:13Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/TxoNAZev3jY/maxresdefault.jpg "CNN's Jim Acosta: Trump's news conference was a 'fake news conference'") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxoNAZev3jY) Jim Acosta accuses Trump of spreading “fake news”: “Trump said “I keep hearing it’s 17 intelligence agencies that say Russia meddled in the election, I think it’s only 3 or 4” - where does that number come from? Where does that 3 or 4 come from?” The “17 intelligence agencies say it” was fake news - for months. [AP](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TRUMP_RUSSIA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-06-30-17-32-29) and NYT had to print corrections recently. But CNN doubles down and spreads that fake news around even after others gave up on it. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/2 "2017-07-06T15:23:06Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Jim Acosta accuses Trump of spreading "fake news": "Trump said "I keep hearing it's 17 intelligence agencies that say Russia meddled in the election, I think it's only 3 or 4" - where does that number come from? Where does that 3 or 4 come from?" > > The “17 intelligence agencies say it” was fake news - for months. [AP](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TRUMP_RUSSIA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-06-30-17-32-29) and NYT had to print corrections recently. But CNN doubles down and spreads that fake news around even after others gave up on it. I’m not sure what you and Trump mean by “Fake News.” Do you mean the report was incorrect? Is that what you’re calling “fake news” now? I assume the initial reports were based on what someone told the reporters. I thought “[fake news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fake_news)” was a deliberate attempt to deceive. The clarification from the AP you linked to seems to make sense. This is a short summary: > [@](#): > > The New York Times and Associated Press posted corrections last week walking back the widely reported claim that all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies agreed that the Russians interfered in the 2016 election with the goal of helping Donald Trump. > > Rather, the assessment involved information collected by the FBI, CIA and NSA, and was then published by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which represents all the intelligence agencies. While the clarification was important, it’s a fine point. FBI, CIA and NSA are certainly the “big three.” ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/3 "2017-07-06T15:23:28Z")
I did not see any “doubling down” in the video you provided. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/4 "2017-07-06T15:40:26Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I did not see any “doubling down” in the video you provided. I did. Acosta quotes the president as saying there were only three or four agencies involved, which seems to be the case by [other accounts](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/07/06/clapper_confirms_17_intelligence_agencies_russia_story_was_false.html), yet persists in saying that he doesn’t know where the White House got that number from, making his own “fake news” accusations. The report should not be dismissed out of hand but CNN clearly reported it in a breathless and hyperbolic fashion. However, it is not fake news and I don’t think there were any statements that were fashioned out of whole cloth. I don’t think CNN makes shit up out of thin air but they have an unmistakable anti-Trump bias (so do I, but I am not a journalist). ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/5 "2017-07-06T15:41:16Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Jim Acosta accuses Trump of spreading "fake news": "Trump said "I keep hearing it's 17 intelligence agencies that say Russia meddled in the election, I think it's only 3 or 4" - where does that number come from? Where does that 3 or 4 come from?" > > The “17 intelligence agencies say it” was fake news - for months. [AP](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TRUMP_RUSSIA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-06-30-17-32-29) and NYT had to print corrections recently. But CNN doubles down and spreads that fake news around even after others gave up on it. \*Jun 30, 5:32 PM EDT Clarification: Trump-Russia stories WASHINGTON (AP) – In stories published April 6, June 2, June 26 and June 29, The Associated Press reported that all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies have agreed that Russia tried to influence the 2016 election to benefit Donald Trump. That assessment was based on information collected by three agencies - the FBI, CIA and National Security Agency - and published by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which represents all U.S. intelligence agencies. Not all 17 intelligence agencies were involved in reaching the assessment.\* Oh No! I’m shocked, SHOCKED, that the lame stream media didn’t verify their stories before pushing them on the public. Oh, the humanity. It looks like this mean that every news media outlet which chooses to claim, or lets their guests claim, that 17 intelligence agencies were involved are providing fake news. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/6 "2017-07-06T15:46:45Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Oh No! I’m shocked, SHOCKED, that the lame stream media didn’t verify their stories before pushing them on the public. I’m shocked, SHOCKED, that Brietbart doesn’t verify their stories before pushing them on the public. > **[Breitbart Issues Correction After Publishing False Story About Conservative...](https://www.mediaite.com/online/breitbart-issues-correction-after-publishing-false-story-about-conservative-rival/)** > > Breitbart wrote a frontpage story Monday accusing the founder of fellow conservative website The Washington Free Beacon Monday of making comments that were actually made by someone else entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/7 "2017-07-06T15:46:54Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > the lame stream media. You really are an idiot, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/8 "2017-07-06T15:59:05Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > You really are an idiot, aren’t you? Not an appropriate comment in this forum. Don’t do this again. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/9 "2017-07-06T16:02:57Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Not an appropriate comment in this forum. Don’t do this again. Sorry. Thought we were in the Pit. Won’t happen again. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/10 "2017-07-06T16:03:49Z")
I appreciate the efforts of the OP and others to render the term “fake news” completely meaningless, so it has no impact each time President Bumblefuck uses it in his blithering distraction-tweets. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/11 "2017-07-06T16:06:10Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I appreciate the efforts of the OP and others to render the term “fake news” completely meaningless, so it has no impact each time President Bumblefuck uses it in his blithering distraction-tweets. 'Course, this is a distraction-thread. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/12 "2017-07-06T16:08:16Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > I’m shocked, SHOCKED, that Brietbart doesn’t verify their stories before pushing them on the public. > > [http://www.mediaite.com/online/breitbart-issues-correction-after-publishing-false-story-about-conservative-rival/](http://www.mediaite.com/online/breitbart-issues-correction-after-publishing-false-story-about-conservative-rival/) I’m glad when somebody makes the effort to keep the various news media outlets honest. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/13 "2017-07-06T16:10:48Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’m not sure what you and Trump mean by “Fake News.” Do you mean the report was incorrect? Is that what you’re calling “fake news” now? CNN in the video I posted accused Trump of spreading “fake news” when he said it was 3-4 intelligence agencies. That is what they are calling “fake news” now. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/14 "2017-07-06T16:11:43Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I’m glad when somebody makes the effort to keep the various news media outlets honest. Agreed. That’s always a good thing. And, most of the mainstream media does a pretty good job. It’s the alternative press that seems to be most susceptible to the fake news impulse. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/15 "2017-07-06T16:12:46Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > 'Course, this is a distraction-thread. Next on Brietbart: Jim Acosta tips only 17% at restaurants. CNN doesn’t enforce towing at the handicapped spaces in front of their London bureau. A satellite carrying the CNN feed was launched in Russia: is this the collusion they are always talking about? A CNN intern voted for Trump and didn’t get a job offer. A CNN cameraman who retired four years ago used heroin in the '60s but the lamestream media won’t cover the story. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/16 "2017-07-06T19:42:58Z")
When you’re defending the American press remember they said Iraq had WMDs and anyone who questioned the Bush administration was a Saddam loving traitor. Just because they don’t like Trump doesn’t make them your friend. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/17 "2017-07-06T19:45:49Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > When you’re defending the American press remember they said Iraq had WMDs and anyone who questioned the Bush administration was a Saddam loving traitor. Just because they don’t like Trump doesn’t make them your friend. Underline added, to emphasis a point I don’t recall. Granted, they could have been a bit more aggressive questioning the Bush administration’s claims, but I don’t remember any intolerance for dissent (by the press) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/18 "2017-07-06T19:46:38Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > When you’re defending the American press remember they said Iraq had WMDs and anyone who questioned the Bush administration was a Saddam loving traitor. Just because they don’t like Trump doesn’t make them your friend. Got a few links? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/19 "2017-07-06T21:04:10Z")
Acosta was correct in noting that Trump was putting out some fake news in that speech in Poland, but he didn’t explain it very well–opening himself up to criticism from Breitbart et al. Some of Trump’s fake news, as disseminated in his Poland speech: > [@](#): > > “I think it was Russia, but I think it was probably other people and/or countries, and I see nothing wrong with that statement. Nobody really knows. Nobody really knows for sure,” Trump told a news conference. [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-idUSKBN19R2G7](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-idUSKBN19R2G7) Not ‘other people and/or countries,’ Donald, and as for knowing ‘for sure,’ the NSA, CIA and FBI have a high degree of confidence. > [@](#): > > “The thing I have to mention is that Barack Obama when he was president found out about this in terms of if it were Russia,” Trump said. “Found out about it in August. Now the election was in November. That’s a lot of time. He did nothing about it.” In fact, > [@](#): > > In December, Obama made public that he had confronted Russian President Vladimir Putin about the meddling in September, telling him to “cut it out,” but Obama said he was loath to appear as if he were attempting to influence the outcome of the election by discussing it publicly. Both: [Asked If Russia Meddled in Election, Donald Trump Attacks Barack Obama - Business Insider](http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-attacks-obama-russian-interference-putin-poland-2017-7) And with regard to the “17 agencies” claim, Trump is clearly very confused: > [@](#): > > “Let me just start off by saying I heard it was 17 agencies. I said, boy, that’s a lot, do we even have that many intelligence agencies, right? Let’s check it. And we did some very heavy research. It turned out to be three or four. It wasn’t 17.” [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-idUSKBN19R2G7](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-idUSKBN19R2G7) Possibly Trump genuinely believes that the “very heavy research” revealed that 13 or 14 US intelligence agencies are mythical, and there are only three or four US intelligence agencies altogether. Or, possibly, Trump is trying to drum up support for some sort of theory that 13 or 14 of the US intelligence agencies disagreed that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, while only a mere, unimpressive three or four decided that Russia had done so. Either way, it’s pure fake news, Trump-style. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608/20 "2017-07-07T01:29:31Z")
More clownish stupidity from CNN: [CNN: Merkel Holding G20 Summit in Hamburg so Germans Can Protest Trump - YouTube](https://youtu.be/dv8kaNGQZZA?t=28) CNN claims that Angela Merkel chose the location of the G20 summit in order to make sure Trump hears the protesters. Never mind that the location was chosen in June 2016. CNN is becoming ridiculous in its desire to interpret everything as anti-Trump. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-while-discussing-fake-news-spreads-fake-news/790608.md?page=2)