‘DISS’ IS CNN!
They’re calling it #CNNBlackmail.
The news network is under siege — even by some on the left — for threatening to make public the identity of the Reddit user who created the video meme of President Trump decking a stand-in he dubbed CNN.
The network’s investigative arm, KFile, said it had tracked down the user through his online profiles but was shielding his identity because he was remorseful.
“CNN is not publishing ‘HanA**holeSolo’s’ name because he is a private citizen who has issued an extensive statement of apology, showed his remorse by saying he has taken down all his offending posts, and because he said he is not going to repeat this ugly behavior on social media again,” the network said in a statement.
But then it added one line that in- furiated Trump supporters and liberals alike.
“CNN reserves the right to publish his identity should any of that change,” the network said.
That was taken to be what it sounded like — a threat — and the hashtag #CNNBlackmail was soon trending on Twitter.
“If only @CNN spent as much time tracking down info on IRS targeting, Fast & Furious, Iran deal etc as they did a meme writer! #CNNBlackmail,” Donald Trump Jr. wrote on Twitter.
“@ CNN U basically coerce apology & threaten release of identity if something changes? Pretty sure a line is crossed here,” wrote Rep. Scott Taylor (R-Va.).
Even WikiLeaks took the network to task. “Trump was bad. CNN is worse: CNN threatens amateur satirist behind Trump video: make fun of us again and we dox [expose] you,” the Web site posted on Twitter.
George Lopez, a reporter for left- leaning Vox.com, said: “I can’t emphasize how bad this is on CNN’s part. This is basically ‘don’t post stuff we don’t like or we’ll dox you.’ Extremely unethical.”
Andrew Kaczynski, KFile’s senior editor, disputed the allegations that it threatened to out the Reddit user’s identity. “CNN specifically choose not to reveal this guy’s identity and to say we threatened anyone is a total lie,” he wrote on Twitter.
“This line is being misinterpreted. It was intended only to mean we made no agreement w/the man about his identity,” Kaczynski added.
Chris Cuomo, co-host of CNN’s “New Day,” fueled the flare-up by posting — and then deleting — a tweet in which he proposed revealing the prankster’s identity, the Daily Caller reported.
“Should CNN reveal name of Reddit user who made trump wrestling video?” the tweet read. “Had a lot of bigoted and hateful material on page and website.”