CNN: Calling Media Fake News Is 'Orwellian,' 'Sinister,' Trump Is Causing Fake News

June 29th, 2017 11:52 AM

CNN continues to whine that President Trump’s attacks on the media are a threat to democracy itself. Clearly, the media, especially this network, do not take criticism well. Take a look at Jim Acosta’s latest freak-out

On Thursday’s New Day, CNN political analyst and Daily Beast Editor-in-Chief John Avlon went on a hyperbolic rant that portrayed the president as a “sinister,” “Orwellian” figure:

The presidency also requires that the person think larger than his self-interest. But to think consciously about the national interest, right? It's supposed to elevate the better angels of our nature. And instead what we've got is too often a race to the bottom that is being amplified by an echo chamber which is trying to itself --  you know when you call critics fake news, let's just think about that for a second -- when fake news is a real problem proliferating on the internet via social media–

The fake news Avlon was talking about was not a “real problem.” Anybody who buys into crazy stories about pizza shops is going to believe in crazy stuff regardless. The real problem is supposedly credible news sources like CNN publishing unverified and false stories.

Executive Editor of Sentinel Newspapers Brian Karem didn’t just agree with Avlon’s sentiment, he jumped in to assert that President Trump has caused fake news: “And he’s caused it.” This is no surprise as Karem himself has become the left’s latest hero for throwing a tantrum during a White House press briefing.

Avlon then went on, first agreeing with Karem’s proclamation: 

I know-- right right. So all of a sudden what you're doing is a consciously Orwellian switch to try to muddy the meaning of language, muddy the definition of truth versus lies, fact versus fiction. And when that's emanating from the Oval Office, that's something that's real sinister and we have to keep an eye on as a country, as citizens.    

The idea that Trump’s language is a threat to our country but Obama’s illegal and unconstitutional abuse of powers wasn’t is pathetic.

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Below is the transcript of the brief exchange:

7:00 AM ET

JOHN AVLON: The presidency also requires that the person think larger than his self-interest. But to think consciously about the national interest, right? It's supposed to elevate the better angels of our nature. And instead what we've got is too often a race to the bottom that is being amplified by an echo chamber which is trying to itself --  you know when you call critics fake news, let's just think about that for a second -- when fake news is a real problem proliferating on the internet via social media--

BRIAN KAREM: And he's caused it.

AVLON: I know-- right right. So all of a sudden what you're doing is a consciously Orwellian switch to try to muddy the meaning of language, muddy the definition of truth versus lies, fact versus fiction. And when that's emanating from the Oval Office, that's something that's real sinister and we have to keep an eye on as a country, as citizens. 

(...)