CNN anchor Jim Acosta muted former President Donald Trump’s microphone during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago. Trump, who was on a lengthy rant about various issues, made several claims that CNN fact-checkers, led by Daniel Dale, found to be misleading. After cutting Trump’s microphone, Acosta turned to Dale to break down the statements and set the record straight in real-time.
One of the main reasons for silencing Trump’s mic was his repeated claim that he won the 2020 presidential election. Trump has insisted on this point, even though no proof supports it. “We have debunked that so many times,” Acosta said, calling it “just an outright lie.” This was a strong stand for CNN, as recounts, legal cases, and investigations have shown no proof of any “stolen” election.
Trump also claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris was appointed by President Joe Biden as “border czar,” supposedly putting her in charge of the entire U.S. immigration system. Dale quickly debunked this, explaining that Harris was actually given a more limited task focused on the root causes of migration from three Central American countries—not overall border security. This statement appeared to be another attempt by Trump to paint a negative picture of Biden’s immigration policies without real evidence.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Trump also repeated his “fable,” as Dale put it, that foreign countries are “emptying their prisons” and sending dangerous criminals into the U.S. Trump has often said this without providing any real evidence. Dale clarified, “The former president has never provided any evidence to support this tale.” This claim seems aimed at sparking fear about immigration rather than presenting the facts.
Trump’s speech had another confusing moment when he couldn’t even pronounce Harris’s first name correctly. He also claimed Harris had called him “Hitler.” Acosta, seeking clarity, asked Dale, “She did not call him Hitler, correct?” Dale confirmed, “Unless I’m missing something dramatic, she did not call him Hitler.” While Harris has criticized Trump and referred to some of his actions as “fascist,” she has been careful not to use such extreme labels for him or his supporters.
Acosta ended the segment by stating that CNN wouldn’t allow false claims to air unchecked. “We’re not just going to air all of these false claims non-stop without any kind of fact-checking,” he said, thanking Dale for his insights.
This bold CNN move shows the importance of fact-checking and holding leaders accountable. By cutting Trump’s mic and fact-checking in real-time, CNN underscored its commitment to giving viewers the truth, not just letting one side’s story go unchallenged.
Featured image via Screengrab
