# Trump "punches" CNN **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 2, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361 "2017-07-02T15:51:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/81 "2017-07-05T13:57:22Z")
> [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](#): > > A billion dollar company threatening to release some asshole’s private information, if his posting from now on isn’t up to their standards, is insane and evil. WTF CNN?! That apology couldn’t sound more coerced if he gave it on grainy videotape while kneeling in front of a row of guys wearing black hoods and CNN armbands. ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/82 "2017-07-05T14:01:46Z")
He is mentally ill. He is the President of the United States of America for God’s sake. This is middle school level childish behavior. I am embarrassed for all of us. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/83 "2017-07-05T14:44:16Z")
Doxxing can ruin lives, but when people spread calls for violence and hatred (as the redditor who made the wrestling/CNN gif had done, over and over again) from the cover of anonymity, what’s the proper response? I think people _should_ be afraid that there could be serious reprecussions to spreading calls for violence and hatred from the cover of anonymity. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/84 "2017-07-05T15:51:42Z")
On the one hand, the redditor is a jerk and Trump is a bigger jerk for behaving like a redditor himself instead of like the goddamn President of the United States. On the other, CNN is straying into some seriously creepy territory there. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/85 "2017-07-05T16:00:43Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Doxxing can ruin lives, but when people spread calls for violence and hatred (as the redditor who made the wrestling/CNN gif had done, over and over again) from the cover of anonymity, what’s the proper response? I think people _should_ be afraid that there could be serious reprecussions to spreading calls for violence and hatred from the cover of anonymity. If you surveyed folks at the\_Donald if they agree with the defense that his speech was all satirical, I have little doubt the vast maority of them would. Because of all the shitposting there’s a different threshhold within that context or the context of the chan’s of what might be seen as crossing the line compared to a more general social media setting. If CNN cares about investigating that type of speech, they should thoughtfully work on an expose that would take longer than 48 hours to create and consult with scholars on if it would be wise to dox anyone. If they want to embolden shitposters and open themselves to added scrutiny they can track them down individually as soon as they catch them in their crosshairs no matter how tangentially related to journalism that would serve a meaningful good. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/86 "2017-07-05T16:17:08Z")
> [@yezlles](#): > > If you surveyed folks at the\_Donald if they agree with the defense that his speech was all satirical, I have little doubt the vast maority of them would. > > Because of all the shitposting there’s a different threshhold within that context or the context of the chan’s of what might be seen as crossing the line compared to a more general social media setting. I don’t buy this at all as a defense/explanation/rationalization. > [@](#): > > If CNN cares about investigating that type of speech, they should thoughtfully work on an expose that would take longer than 48 hours to create and consult with scholars on if it would be wise to dox anyone. If they want to embolden shitposters and open themselves to added scrutiny they can track them down individually as soon as they catch them in their crosshairs no matter how tangentially related to journalism that would serve a meaningful good. They can do two things. I’m not advocating doxxing, necessarily, but I think it’s reasonable to investigate the phenomenon of people using the anonymity of the internet to spread advocacy for violence and hatred. And I’ll note that they didn’t doxx this guy or even threaten to doxx him (at least according to the would-be doxxee – he apologized before CNN contacted him). ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/87 "2017-07-05T16:46:44Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > And I’ll note that they didn’t doxx this guy or even threaten to doxx him (at least according to the would-be doxxee – he apologized before CNN contacted him). Well… > [@CNN](#): > > CNN is not publishing “HanA\*\*holeSolo’s” name because he is a private citizen who has issued an extensive statement of apology, showed his remorse by saying he has taken down all his offending posts, and because he said he is not going to repeat this ugly behavior on social media again. In addition, he said his statement could serve as an example to others not to do the same. > > **CNN reserves the right to publish his identity should any of that change**. (bolding mine) Whether that constitutes a “threat” is left as an exercise for the reader. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/88 "2017-07-05T16:51:56Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Well…(bolding mine) > > Whether that constitutes a “threat” is left as an exercise for the reader. Okay, that can reasonably be characterized as a threat, I think. I still lean towards this being an appropriate response to the level of vitriolic hatred and calls for violence (including advocacy for mass murder) that came from the redditor, but I’ll acknowledge that this is a pretty new sort of phenomenon, and might warrant new thinking about journalistic ethics and the like. It makes me think of Dan Savage’s rule for outing closeted gay politicians – outing is brutal, and should be reserved only for brutes (i.e. those politicians who use their position to advocate for anti-LGBT bigotry and/or discriminatory policies). Doxxing is similarly brutal, and perhaps it should also be reserved only for brutes. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/89 "2017-07-05T17:43:18Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Doxxing can ruin lives, but when people spread calls for violence and hatred (as the redditor who made the wrestling/CNN gif had done, over and over again) from the cover of anonymity, what’s the proper response? I think people _should_ be afraid that there could be serious reprecussions to spreading calls for violence and hatred from the cover of anonymity. Then CNN should have released his name. Either the man’s name is a matter of public interest or it isn’t. If it is, release it. If not, don’t. Forcing him to apologize “or else” is blackmail, pure and simple. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/90 "2017-07-05T17:56:21Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Then CNN should have released his name. > > Either the man’s name is a matter of public interest or it isn’t. If it is, release it. If not, don’t. Forcing him to apologize “or else” is blackmail, pure and simple. He already apologized and removed the material before they made a statement about it. It is if he rescinds the apology and starts doing what he was doing again that they would release his info. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/91 "2017-07-05T18:03:53Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > **He already apologized and removed the material before they made a statement about it.** > > It is if he rescinds the apology and starts doing what he was doing again that they would release his info. But not before CNN were in email contact with him though. I can imagine a few careers are on the line _depending what are in those email communications_. Release the emails! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/92 "2017-07-05T18:03:55Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Then CNN should have released his name. > > Either the man’s name is a matter of public interest or it isn’t. If it is, release it. If not, don’t. Forcing him to apologize “or else” is blackmail, pure and simple. According to everything I’ve read, he apologized before CNN published anything or talked to him. I would agree with you if they threatened doxxing in exchange for an apology – but they didn’t do that, unless many reporting on this are lying. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/93 "2017-07-05T19:06:55Z")
So the guy apologized for making the GIF, or for racist postings, or both, or what? Not sure I understand why an apology was necessary unless he was forced to. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/94 "2017-07-05T19:12:22Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > So the guy apologized for making the GIF, or for racist postings, or both, or what? Not sure I understand why an apology was necessary unless he was forced to. For posting many, many racist/bigoted and violence-advocating things, if I understand things correctly. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/95 "2017-07-05T19:19:47Z")
On one hand, I don’t care if you call it blackmailing or not. It is the natural social consequences for these actions–consequences that are often missing in the online world and lead to everyone being absolutely horrible. I think that, if you say or do certain things online, you should be afraid of being doxxed. We’d shut up nearly all the trolls that way. However, in this particular circumstance, it plays right into the conspiracies the alt-right has about the news. This guy is being forced to change his mind by the evil news organization. Over a stupid video that the President tweeted–one which meant basically nothing. Sure, the guy has said other things that are horrible, but it’s the video that got CNN working on him. They’re sending the message that they are some sort of mafia outfit that will get you if you disparage them. That’s not good for combating the message that they are fake news, or that the mainstream media is trying to control the populace. If it were something more important that started this, I might feel otherwise. But this was just a stupid thing that happens all the fucking time. Someone doesn’t like something, so they Photoshop them into some image or GIF for fun. Sure, the President should not have tweeted it, but, from some guy, it’s basically nothing. I guarantee you that it’s now going to be much, much harder to tell people that CNN is legit, and much harder to fight the whole MSM stuff. The only way I could see otherwise is if they really are so motivated by fear that they’ll change their minds. But, chances are, most of them know how to use Tor and won’t be afraid in the slightest. Just angry at an extreme overreaction. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/96 "2017-07-05T19:23:37Z")
I don’t understand why there aren’t 1000s of GIFs now of everyone in any movie clip, or wrestling clip, or whatever, taking down a guy with a CNN logo face. Hackivists are slacking I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/97 "2017-07-05T19:30:55Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > So the guy apologized for making the GIF, or for racist postings, or both, or what? Not sure I understand why an apology was necessary unless he was forced to. He was either forced to apologize, or decided to apologize in the midst of some “media outreach”. I cant imagine he suddenly had a dose of remorse hit him out of nowhere. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/98 "2017-07-05T19:36:40Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > At the top of the page is the original Wrestlemania footage. Further down on the page there’s the one with the CNN logo. > > It’s actually funny. If he wants to use Twitter to attack the media with a wrestling clip it’s a far better approach than the crude personal attacks on newsertainment personalities. Hitting back at a major news organization like CNN is within the realm of the political arena for a president. Hitting the pawns as he typically does is cowardly for the POTUS to do. It’s now surprise though, he’s never been known for picking a fight unless he has an unfair advantage going in. Let’s see if he ever stands up to Putin or anyone else that counts. I can’t wait to see when trump and Putin meet and shake hands . trump love to crush the other person hand , I wonder how Putin is going to response when trump try this shit on him. ---
**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 5, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/99 "2017-07-05T19:36:57Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > He was either forced to apologize, or decided to apologize in the midst of some “media outreach”. I cant imagine he suddenly had a dose of remorse hit him out of nowhere. Is it not possible that others doxxed him prior to CNN and the apology was in response to those other people? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361/100 "2017-07-05T19:40:18Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > He was either forced to apologize, or decided to apologize in the midst of some “media outreach”. I cant imagine he suddenly had a dose of remorse hit him out of nowhere. If this story is correct: > **[How CNN found the Reddit user behind the Trump wrestling GIF | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2017/07/04/politics/kfile-reddit-user-trump-tweet/index.html)** > > The Reddit user who initially claimed credit for President Donald Trump’s tweet that showed Trump tackling CNN issued an apology Tuesday for the video and other offensive content he posted – one day after CNN identified the man behind the account... …then CNN found out who it was and attempted to contact him but he didn’t respond. But then, apparently knowing that the jig was up, the redditor made his apology and deleted all his old (racist and violence-advocating) posts. And afterwards, CNN posted that in light of his apology, they didn’t plan to release his name, at least as long as he didn’t get back into the abominable posting business. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-punches-cnn/790361.md?page=6)