
Apparently, CNN can’t take a joke. The left-wing news outlet was blasted on Twitter after fact-checking a meme shared by the social media company’s owner, Elon Musk — which was making fun of CNN and their blatant aversion to free speech.
The meme depicted an obviously fake image of a news headline and was shared by Musk after the CEO endured weeks of attacks from the left-wing mainstream media for trying to maximize free speech on Twitter.
“CNN: Elon Musk could threaten free speech on Twitter by literally allowing people to speak freely,” the meme read, showing a photo of CNN co-host Don Lemon.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2022
In response to Musk’s tweet, the CNN Communications account felt the need to point out that the meme was not real — something that was obvious to nearly everyone who had seen it.
“This headline never appeared on CNN. Be Better,” they tweeted.
Included in the tweet was CNN’s own attempt at a meme — a digitally altered screenshot of Musk’s tweet that included an overlay of a Twitter rule violation message, which stated: “This tweet violated the Twitter rules on sharing false, fabricated and misleading information.”
This headline never appeared on CNN. Be better. pic.twitter.com/n8xGp2Z6qm
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) November 28, 2022
Musk later responded to CNN’s attempt at fact-checking him, simply writing: “Lmaoooo.”
CNN was roasted on Twitter for their response to Musk.
“I just realized that CNN is essentially the Karen of news networks,” one critic wrote.
“The funny part is you having to point out that the image was a joke, to your moron viewers,” YouTuber Styx Hexenhammer responded.
“I see you’re still getting bent out of shape over obvious memes, and still threatening meme makers too. Stay classy,” another Twitter user wrote, sharing a screenshot of a CNN article entitled “How CNN found the Reddit user behind the Trump wrestling GIF.”
I see you're still getting bent out of shape over obvious memes, and still threatening meme makers too.
Stay classy. pic.twitter.com/TQ8upaYpPI
— Magnus (@JacksonTDawes) November 29, 2022
The article references a story in which the outlet tracked down an anonymous meme-maker who dared to create a GIF of former President Donald Trump body-slamming the CNN logo and threatened to reveal his personal information to the world.
“Remember when you guys altered the background colors to pink to make the president look less evil. Be better,” another user replied, sharing an image of the CNN broadcast of President Joe Biden’s infamous September 1 speech that was edited live on air to have a pink background — but was actually in front of a blood red background.
Remember when you guys altered the background colors to pink to make the president look less evil. Be better. pic.twitter.com/evbvp8huqA
— Vin G. (@Raverrevolution) November 28, 2022
“But this was real, right?” asked another Twitter user, sharing the infamous image of the CNN chyron that read “fiery but mostly peaceful protests after police shooting” as the reporter on screen stands in front of cars and buildings that have been set ablaze.
😆😆😆😆
But this was real, right? The network that brings this is telling Elon to‘be better’ 😂🤣😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/NZRysg6QMC— Katie (@katiekochman) November 28, 2022
“This is worse than the time you colored Joe Rogan’s face brown and yellow to make it look like he was dying of jaundice. That DID air on CNN. Do Better,” another user said, sharing a side-by-side comparison of the actual image of Joe Rogan compared with CNN’s edited image of the podcast host, which made him appear ill in an apparent attempt to discredit his method of COVID treatment.
This is worse than the time you colored Joe Rogan’s face brown and yellow to make it look like he was dying of jaundice. That DID air on CNN. Do Better. pic.twitter.com/2VOLb9oEtI
— banishedNJ (@BanishedN) November 28, 2022