“Caught Cheating Again – Fake News CNN and The New York Times,” Says President Donald Trump
[Washington, June 26, 2025]
U.S. President Donald Trump has once again accused major American media outlets — The New York Times and CNN — of deception. Trump claimed that these media organizations have attempted to downplay the success of the recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, despite their own reports being riddled with confusion and misinformation.
In a Wednesday post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“We just caught the Failing New York Times, working with Fake News CNN, cheating again! They tried to demean the great work our B-2 pilots did, and they were wrong in doing so. These reporters are BAD AND SICK PEOPLE. You would think they’d be proud of this great success for America, but instead, they work hard to disgrace our country. This was TOTAL OBLITERATION!”
Trump vs. The Media – What Happened?
The New York Times and CNN recently published reports citing U.S. military intelligence suggesting that the strikes on Iran’s three nuclear sites only delayed the country’s nuclear program by “months, not years.”
Trump, however, has consistently claimed that the attacks “completely destroyed” Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities and critical infrastructure.
The reports from both outlets referenced anonymous U.S. officials and evaluations from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), which suggested that the core underground structures at Iran’s nuclear sites might still be intact.
BBC and Israeli Sources Weigh In
A BBC report quoted the Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) as stating:
“The strike on the Fordow nuclear facility rendered it completely inoperable.”
According to IAEC’s assessment, Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons has been pushed back by many years.
Caution from the IAEA Chief
However, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed skepticism about the damage assessments, stating:
“No one is currently in a position to fully evaluate the extent of underground damage at Fordow.”
He also warned that Iran’s enriched uranium may have been moved after Israel’s strike and that the full extent of damage remains unclear.
Grossi added:
“Some of the infrastructure may have survived. And Iran knows how to rebuild. It’s just a matter of time.”
Harsh Reaction from the Trump Administration
The Trump administration did not only lash out at the media but also issued a strong response against the individuals responsible for leaking intelligence.
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, told Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle:
“Leaking this kind of information is treasonous. It could pose a direct threat to American lives in the future. Whoever is responsible must be held accountable under the law.”
Strategic Messaging?
Analysts believe the Trump administration’s aggressive rhetoric is more than just media criticism — it is also a strategic move to preserve the narrative of a decisive victory over Iran and assert dominance in the information war as well.
By discrediting conflicting reports and reinforcing his administration's version of events, Trump is working to solidify the perception of military and geopolitical success in both domestic and international spheres.
