All posts tagged "cnn"

Red flags fly as 'very suspicious' move from Todd Blanche has confirmation in doubt

CNN analyst Andrew McCabe on Tuesday pointed out that the Department of Justice never responded to President Donald Trump's IRS lawsuit — and how that could impact Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination.

The former deputy director of the FBI told CNN anchor Kasie Hunt that, as Blanche's nomination remains in limbo ahead of Thursday's vote, further questions about Trump's former personal attorney have come to light.

"Let's remember, there essentially was never really a true lawsuit here," McCabe said. "The president sued the IRS for $10 billion. The Department of Justice never even answered the complaint. So, there were never two opposing parties. The Justice Department never stood up and defended the United States in the way that it did in every other suit brought by the same leak from the same person."

This was unusual, McCabe explained.

"And because of that oddity, that's a very suspicious decision on the part of people like Todd Blanche and others," he said. "The lack of a true controversy meant that the entire thing was about to get dismissed. Before that could happen, they entered into these agreements. One of them, of course, created the weaponization fund, and the second one essentially granted complete immunity forever to Donald Trump, his family members and businesses."

McCabe described the situation further.

"It was basically a giveaway from the Department of Justice to the president," McCabe said. "How this thing stands or was ever conceived — I have no idea. I've been around many, many settlements of criminal matters, some of which involved IRS criminal matters, and have never seen any language like this. I think it's absolutely unprecedented and an incredibly bad idea."

The IRS settlement became a sticking point for some Republican senators during Blanche's confirmation hearing. On Tuesday, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said there is no deal on Blanche's confirmation because of the settlement and the so-called anti-weaponization fund, Politico reported.

CNN's Kasie Hunt throws Scott Jennings' prediction about his old boss back in his face

CNN conservative pundit Scott Jennings was teased on-air Thursday for suggesting that Sen. Mitch McConnell would likely release a new statement sometime by Monday.

During a segment with CNN anchor Kasie Hunt, Jennings was asked if he had heard anything new from McConnell. Jennings claimed earlier this month that he had a 17-minute phone call with McConnell, whom he has known since he was a teenager and previously worked for. The MAGA commentator has faced growing criticism over his comments, including a network statement that the company would not vouch for Jennings' comments — and that they don't represent the organization's reporting.

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed concern about McConnell's absence since he went missing from Congress 39 days ago for undisclosed medical treatment. Two weeks ago, his team released an image of him with his wife Elaine Chao, but that hasn't quelled the skepticism and questions surrounding his unknown condition.

"I know he continues to do his rehab activities," Jennings said. "I know he's still following doctor's orders, and my assumption is sometime between now and Monday, they'll probably issue another update on how he's coming along. I don't know if they've made any decisions about whether he's going to be cleared to come back to work or not, but I would be surprised if we don't hear from them again by the weekend or by Monday."

Jennings argued that he thinks McConnell should "routinely" update his constituents on his health and "keep people apprised of the issues that he's looking in on, of the work that he's doing with his staff, and just be transparent about the things that he can do, even while he's convalescing and recovering."

"Truthfully, I think a little transparency on the front end here would have saved him a whole lot of grief," Jennings added. "But that didn't happen. And they are where they are now. But I think regular updates on things are good to do, and that'd be my advice."

Hunt commented, "I think last time that you and I spoke about this very topic, you said the exact same thing. You were like, 'Ask me on Monday.'"

Jennings joked that "the oracle of Kentucky" was right.

Fellow CNN panelist and commentator Xochitl Hinojosa had a direct question for Jennings: "At what point do you think that maybe he should resign from his seat?"

Jennings seemed surprised by the question.

"Give up his seat because he is not able to do the job of a U.S. senator," Hinojosa said.

"Well, he's not voting, Scott," Hunt added.

"And he's getting paid," Hinojosa said.

Supreme Court expert reveals 'compelling moment' from Amy Coney Barrett's 'raw testimony'

CNN Chief Supreme Court Analyst Joan Biskupic described the "compelling moment" Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett shared during her testimony before Congress on Tuesday.

Barrett and Justice Elena Kagan made a rare appearance on Capitol Hill to testify before the House Appropriations subcommittee and requested a $16.6 million budget increase amid escalating threats against judges. Biskupic described the "raw testimony" during the live broadcast with CNN anchor Boris Sanchez — and a moment that caught her attention during the hearing.

"This morning they were before House members making their pitch for more security, explaining the kinds of needs they have both for more officers at their residence, more officers at the Supreme Court, a better screening system for people who are going into the court, visitors, and then also cybersecurity," Biskupic said. "We know that there have been some leaks from the court, but they're very much worried about what kind of cybersecurity risks they have right now. And I have to say, a very compelling moment came early in the hearing when Justice Barrett, who was up there with Justice Kagan, talked personally about what the security threats have meant to her and her family."

Barrett revealed how it impacted her child.

"When threats to my life were particularly intense a few years ago, around the time of the Dobbs leak, my security detail sent me home with a bulletproof vest, and I carried it into my house, put it into my bedroom, dropped it down on a table, turned around, and my 12-year-old son was standing in the doorway of my bedroom," Barrett said. "And he wanted to know what it was and why I had it, and I didn't know how to respond because, maybe I lack imagination, but I didn't expect that performing this service was going to put me in the position of explaining to my children what a bulletproof vest was, and why I had to wear one."

Biskupic reacted to the comments, and another troubling incident that Barrett spoke about.

"Pretty raw testimony there, Boris," Biskupic said. "She also talked about just a few weeks ago, her family was the victim of a swatting incident where another son had gone out to the front porch and saw all these police officers there because there had been a false call into police."

Trump rage-quits press gaggle after CNN's Kaitlan Collins questions new war strikes

CNN's Kaitlan Collins pressed President Donald Trump about the war in Iran when he decided to suddenly end a White House press conference on Monday.

Trump was speaking at the Oval Office to a group of reporters when he cut the questions short and lashed out against the network. The president had told reporters that the United States had plans to ramp up attacks on Iran, as Trump had ordered a new blockade against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.

"The US is bombing Iran again. You've been bombing Iran for months now. Is this just the new normal for the American people?" Collins asked.

Trump started to complain about CNN and its coverage of the Iran war.

"All they have is fake news because the fake news would rather see us lose the war," Trump said.

Collins responded to Trump.

"You argued Iran couldn't have ballistic missiles," Collins said.

But Trump kept talking about CNN and "fake news."

"Which is really treasonous in a certain way. So we're doing another very major attack tonight," Trump said.

Trump abruptly ended the press conference after his rant to Collins, and aides hurriedly shuffled reporters out of the room.

TRUMP: All they have is fake news because the fake news would rather see us lose the war

COLLINS: You argued Iran couldn't have ballistic missiles

TRUMP: Which is really treasonous in a certain way. So we're doing another very major attack tonight. pic.twitter.com/dwe58GUgul
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 13, 2026

Humiliated Trump 'fuming' over reporting on Qatari jet's security foibles: journalist

Sources close to President Donald Trump say that he's "fuming" because journalists are reporting on his Qatari jet's security problems. CNN reported.

According to CNN, Trump was "embarrassed and angry" in recent days after reporters revealed that he had to switch planes because his Qatar-donated Boeing 747 lacked critical security features.

"Trump has been fuming at the reports of security concerns surrounding the $400 million gift from Qatar," CNN's Kaitlan Collins reported, adding that he "was embarrassed and angry in recent days when it became public that the plane was not equipped enough to be flown directly from the NATO summit in Turkey back home."

Collins' report comes after the New York Times shared that four of its journalists were issued subpoenas on Friday after they reported that Trump had to switch planes because the Qatari jet was not as well equipped with security features as the old Air Force One.

The Qatar jet lacked capabilities that the old Air Force One had, like antimissile capabilities, the Times reported.

CNN described the subpoenas as "highly unusual" and "a direct threat to the news media's ability to gather information in the public's interest," and noted that the Times plans to fight the court order.

"The subpoenas suggest that the Trump administration is trying to find out who leaked to the Times before the news organization," Collins wrote.

Sources told CNN that the New York Times subpoenas came after FBI Director Kash Patel met with White House officials on Friday to talk about an investigation into leaks about the jet's security concerns.

Patel also spoke with Trump over the phone on Friday about that investigation, one source told CNN.

Rosie O'Donnell drops fiery verdict on Trump's decline: 'Never let grandpa cut the turkey'

Rosie O'Donnell, actress and longtime enemy of President Donald Trump, said on Friday that she doesn't expect he will make it to the end of his term.

The Hollywood legend was promoting her one-woman off-Broadway show "Common Knowledge" when CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked if she planned to return to the United States after Trump leaves office in 2029. O'Donnell has cited Trump, who has criticized and attacked her for more than two decades, as the reason she relocated to Ireland with her 12-year-old non-binary child, and that she had sought to protect her mental health.

O'Donnell had a pointed response to Tapper's question.

"I don't think, Jake, that he is going to survive that long," she said. "All the medical doctors that you can get accurate opinions of what's happening to him, because his demise is visible and apparent to everyone who is not willfully blind. I mean, he called Zelenskyy Putin. He makes the kind of mistakes that you would forgive at Thanksgiving dinner, but you would never let grandpa cut the turkey because it might be dangerous."

She and Tapper named multiple gaffes, including his most recent error referring to the "Islamic Republic of Japan."

"I know there are millions of Americans who have lived through parents and loved ones going through exactly what he's going through," O'Donnell added. "And everyone just sits around and goes, 'Oh, do you know? And I don't understand it.' I think my displeasure with the Democratic Party's attack of him and the urgency by which they need to break the glass in case of emergency — it is an emergency. It's not like fascism might come here. Fascism has already arrived."

'Get him on the phone': Scott Jennings feels the heat on CNN over McConnell health claims

CNN anchor Kasie Hunt didn't hold back on Friday during a live segment about Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), pushing conservative commentator Scott Jennings to call up the 84-year-old lawmaker.

Hunt and a panel of analysts were talking about the growing speculation over the longtime Republican senator's health as rumors were swirling around his unknown condition. She turned to Jennings, who claimed McConnell called him Tuesday and they spoke about a variety of topics.

CNN has since distanced itself from Jennings' claims and referred to him as a "commentator" and "not a full-time employee or journalist for the network." The network clarified this stance Friday in a statement, adding that Jennings' apparent conversation with McConnell was a personal chat, amid skepticism over the pundit's comments.

CNN political commentator Xochitl Hinojosa commented that, as other members of Congress have gone missing in recent months, raising further questions about why McConnell had not contacted Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who had requested an update on the GOP lawmaker's health, or any Democratic leaders.

"He hasn't called any Democrats," Hinojosa said. "He's talked to Scott Jennings for 20 minutes, but he can't find five minutes to call Chuck Schumer or Andy Beshear?"

Hunt, for the second time this week, suggested McConnell chat with CNN.

"Well, Scott Jennings, can you get him on the phone?" Hunt asked.

"For the record, I'm perfectly healthy. And I wouldn't call either Chuck Schumer or Andy Beshear either," Jennings quipped.

"You're also not a senator," Hinojosa responded sharply.

"I don't know why they would be at the top of his call list," Jennings said, adding that he suspected McConnell would make a public statement by Monday updating people on his health.

"So Scott, you can't get him on the phone right now?" Hunt pressed. "I mean, he could call in, in the next block. It's available if you want to."

Jennings joked with Hunt in response.

"I'll check in on it for you," Jennings said. "You know, I'm just I'm just a contributor here, but if you would like me to take on an additional role of booking producer. Absolutely. It's going to cost you."

CNN hangs Scott Jennings out to dry over his McConnell health claims

CNN made it clear it will not vouch for conservative pundit Scott Jennings' claims about Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and his health, according to reports on Friday.

CNN told The Daily Beast that Jennings, who was among several Republican insiders claiming they spoke with McConnell this week, was speaking only for himself and that his account does not represent the network's reporting.

"As a CNN Political Commentator, Scott Jennings is not a full-time employee or journalist for the network," a CNN spokesperson told The Beast. "His account of a personal conversation with Senator McConnell reflects his experience and is not CNN reporting."

The statement followed growing criticism that CNN had given Jennings a platform to make unverified claims about the 84-year-old senator, who has been hospitalized since June 14 and whose condition his office has not disclosed. Dispatch audio from that morning referenced an apparent cardiac arrest at an address known to be his, though CNN has not confirmed the details and his office has not named a cause.

Jennings, who previously ran political operations for McConnell's Senate campaigns, told CNN anchor Kasie Hunt on Tuesday that the senator called him that morning and they spoke for about 17 minutes.

"It was good to hear his voice," Jennings said. "Voice sounded strong and sounded like he was keeping up with the news to me."

By Thursday, appearing on Jake Tapper's show, Jennings said McConnell's staff told him the senator was planning to return to work, pushing back on rumors that McConnell is "brain dead" or a "vegetable."

"It sounded to me like somebody who was preparing at some point to go back to work," Jennings said. He added that he knew McConnell "was meeting with his staff today and getting some briefings on a few issues."

Scott Jennings calls for 'more transparency' on McConnell's health after speaking with him

CNN conservative pundit Scott Jennings admitted Thursday that Republicans could do more to clarify Sen. Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) health status.

Jennings told CNN anchor Jake Tapper that McConnell, who he claims he spoke with earlier this week, has "always been pretty guarded about his own health issues."

Tapper asked the MAGA analyst if he had spoken with the longtime Republican lawmaker again since their reported 17-minute chat on Tuesday. Jennings, who is a Kentucky voter and has known McConnell since he was a teenager, said he had spoken with senior members of the senator's team.

"My personal view is that they do need to actually have a little more transparency with the people of Kentucky," Jennings said. "I counseled him and his team as such."

McConnell has been hospitalized for three weeks and it's unclear what his condition is.

"It pains me when I think he's hurting," Jennings added. "But I do think when you're in a position of public life like he is, some information is a good thing and that hasn't been out there. My belief is I think the Senate goes back in on Monday, I'd be shocked if they didn't put out an update on him by Monday about whether he's going to be able to go back to the Senate next week. And I should say, I don't know whether he is or he isn't. And I'm not sure whether he's made that decision or not."

Jennings denied that McConnell had died or was a "vegetable," despite speculation that he was.

"I've spoken with him and I've spoken to people who have been meeting with him over the last few days, so I think all that speculation could be put to rest," he said. "But I think it's frankly, I think it's up to them to tell the people of Kentucky when he's going back to work. I hope they do that by Monday. And I believe that they will."

'Where are they?' Jake Tapper sounds off on GOP silence on Trump family corruption

CNN anchor Jake Tapper called out Republicans Wednesday following reports of how much President Donald Trump has earned since returning to the White House.

Tapper raised questions about how much Trump and his family had reportedly earned according to his financial disclosure, which showed he earned more than $2.2 billion in 2025 — his first year back in office.

"This 927 page report is a staggering look at President Trump's growing fortune made while he's president through cryptocurrency holdings, royalty payments, property investments and much more," Tapper said. "Trump's total crypto earnings alone totaled about $1.4 billion during his first year back in office."

Tapper cited other concerns amid the disclosure's findings.

"And what about Congress? Where are they in any of this?" Tapper asked. "So many of the same people who criticize President Obama for barely profiting on book sales when he was president, or the people who investigated the Biden family for their alleged profiting off the vice presidency and presidency — they are silent today. They have nothing to say. Nothing, it is crickets. So one can only conclude this is now a precedent that is being set. Because why would any future president not just cash in as much as possible?"