On the same day that CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez’s live arrest on New Day became a leading headline, The Washington Post compared Jimenez’s arrest to George Floyd’s murder, and an entrance to Atlanta’s CNN Center was attacked, Prime Time host Chris “Fredo” Cuomo and CNN Tonight host Don Lemon wanted viewers to know that, apparently, “CNN is not being victimized” and “not the news” at all.
Yes, you read that right, NewsBusters readers. Two carnival barkers and Zuckerville residents are claiming that CNN isn’t part of the story or wants to be a focus. If Politifact were worth anything, they’d label these claims pants-on-fire.
Cuomo went first when, after the hour began with protesters firing BB gun rounds, fireworks, and smoke grenades into an entrance to the CNN Center, he teed up this soundbite from Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D):
You are burning cars. You have defaced the CNN building. Ted Turner started CNN in Atlanta 40 years ago because he believed in who we are as a city. There was a black reporter who was arrested on camera this morning who works for CNN. They are telling our stories, and you are disgracing their building.
So, after playing a soundbite of an elected official defending CNN, Fredo had the gall to insist that “CNN is here to tell the story, that’s what we do” and “is not being victimized, alright?”
He continued: “People are attacking the building. They’re attacking a lot of things that are going on. This isn’t about us. It’s our ability to tell the story, that’s not going to change. There are different situations, different dynamics, in different cities.”
As if that wasn’t enough, he then threw to CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz with protesters in Brooklyn by asking first how he and his camera crew were doing. Unreal.
Fast-forward to the daily handover and banter with Lemon before CNN Tonight, Lemon doubled down:
Interesting to watch all those pictures coming out of Atlanta and, of course, Minneapolis, Chris. I worked in that building in Atlanta for seven years and it is surreal to see that happening again. I think you’re right. CNN is not the news. A lot of people are being attacked. A lot of riots going on. A lot of people are losing, you know, parts of their businesses and so what, so — and so on. But I just think it’s interesting to watch.
Let there be no ambiguity: There’s no profession in America that loves itself more and can’t stand outside criticism than the news media.
But when far-left rioters came for and attempt to inflict harm on their workplace (albeit a bureau neither work at), two CNN hosts shrugged.
To see the relevant CNN transcript from May 29, click “expand.”
CNN’s Cuomo Prime Time
May 29. 2020
9:39 p.m. EasternCHRIS CUOMO: I want you to hear what Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, mayor of Atlanta said about what was happening, and that did flow right into the CNN headquarters.
ATLANTA MAYOR KEISHA LANCE BOTTONMS (D): You are burning cars. You have defaced the CNN building. Ted Turner started CNN in Atlanta 40 years ago because he believed in who we are as a city. There was a black reporter who was arrested on camera this morning who works for CNN. They are telling our stories, and you are disgracing their building.
CUOMO: Alright, so there’s the mayor talking about what happened to CNN. Just to be very clear, CNN is here to tell the story, that’s what we do. Now, CNN is not being victimized, alright? People are attacking the building. They’re attacking a lot of things that are going on. This isn’t about us. It’s our ability to tell the story, that’s not going to change. There are different situations, different dynamics, in different cities. This is Atlanta, we showed you Minneapolis. It is reverberating in different spots around the country because what happened with George Floyd is not unfamiliar to communities, and let’s be honest, it’s not unfamiliar to you either. So, now we come here to New York City, specifically Brooklyn, by the Barclay’s Center. Alright? Our Shimon Prokupecz is there are. You see on the street behind him, there’s a police presence there and there are people who are also angry. Shimon, how are you? How’s the team? What are you seeing?
(….)
CNN Tonight with Don Lemon
May 29, 2020
10:00 p.m. EasternDON LEMON: Interesting to watch all those pictures coming out of Atlanta and, of course, Minneapolis, Chris. I worked in that building in Atlanta for seven years and it is surreal to see that happening again. I think you’re right. CNN is not the news. A lot of people are being attacked. A lot of riots going on. A lot of people are losing, you know, parts of their businesses and so what, so — and so on. But I just think it’s interesting to watch.
