CNN Forced to Issue Correction After Karoline Leavitt Blasts ‘Fake News’ Iran Strike Report

CNN found itself in hot water over the weekend after publishing a story that inaccurately claimed no Democrats had been informed about a controversial U.S. military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. The network quietly corrected the piece—but not before White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the report as “Fake News” and demanded a public retraction.

The incident unfolded after CNN published an article on Sunday alleging that the Biden administration had failed to brief any Democratic leaders before launching a targeted strike on Iranian nuclear sites. The story sparked widespread criticism online, especially among critics who claimed it reinforced a pattern of political bias at the network.

But it didn’t take long for the White House to push back—and hard.

Leavitt: “This is Fake News.”

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Karoline Leavitt, the fiery and fast-rising White House spokesperson, called out CNN directly:

“The White House made bipartisan courtesy calls to Congressional Leadership and spoke to ⁦@SenSchumer before the strike. ⁦⁦@RepJeffries could not be reached until after, but he was briefed. ⁦@CNN please retract.”

She followed up with a blunt post:

“This is Fake News.”

According to Leavitt, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was informed of the plan before the strike took place. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), she noted, wasn’t reachable at the time—but was fully briefed after the fact.

The discrepancy between CNN’s original reporting and Leavitt’s statement triggered swift scrutiny.

CNN Issues a Quiet Correction

Following Leavitt’s callout, CNN updated the article and appended a correction at the top. The new disclaimer read:

“This story has been updated to make clear Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was called before the strike, not after as initially reported.”

The article’s headline was also changed to reflect the correction, but the network has not publicly acknowledged the mistake beyond the editor’s note.

Critics argue that such post-publication edits are part of a broader trend in corporate media: quietly walking back flawed reporting only after being caught, with little or no transparency.

A Pattern of Errors?

For many conservatives, the incident is just the latest in what they view as a long-running pattern of CNN prioritizing narrative over facts.

Back in 2021, CNN faced a defamation lawsuit involving U.S. veteran Zachary Young, who was portrayed in a controversial segment about Afghan evacuations. The network’s reporting was called into question, and the case made headlines after Young won a legal victory for being misrepresented.

CNN is also facing an ongoing lawsuit from Project Veritas, the undercover journalism organization, which alleges defamation after anchor Ana Cabrera falsely stated the group was banned from Twitter for “promoting misinformation.” In reality, the suspension was due to a “doxxing” policy violation involving an unblurred house number.

Even as far back as Donald Trump’s first term, CNN’s credibility was questioned. A 2017 Russia-related story had to be retracted, resulting in the resignation of three journalists. Critics pointed to it as a prime example of the network’s “publish first, verify later” mentality.

Leavitt’s Rising Profile

Karoline Leavitt’s swift and pointed response is part of a broader pattern for the press secretary, who has become known for her combative relationship with the media. A former GOP communications aide and Trump loyalist, Leavitt has leaned into her role as the administration’s frontline defender.

Whether taking on hostile questions in the press room or correcting the record online, she’s garnered a reputation for being both sharp and unapologetic.

In this case, her quick reaction forced CNN’s hand and reshaped the narrative before it could take deeper root in public discourse.

The Broader Stakes

The correction may seem minor—a simple clarification about timing—but the underlying issue cuts much deeper. At stake is not just one article, but a broader question of credibility and trust in mainstream media, especially in an era of hyper-partisan tension and global instability.

The Iran strike, which reportedly targeted underground nuclear facilities near Natanz, has sparked fierce debate about military transparency, congressional oversight, and the role of media in shaping perceptions of government accountability.

The fact that CNN initially excluded Schumer’s prior briefing from its article added fuel to suspicions that the network was more interested in fanning anti-Trump sentiment than reporting verified facts.

Media Watchdogs React

“This is classic damage control,” said Dan McKellar, a media ethics analyst with the Center for Public Integrity. “The correction was buried. The headline was changed without any fanfare. But the original version of the story had already gone viral.”

“It raises the question—how many people will see the original, and how many will ever see the correction?”

Others noted the contrast between CNN’s aggressive reporting on conservative figures and its quieter approach to admitting mistakes.

“When the error fits the narrative, it gets blasted everywhere,” said a former cable news producer who spoke on background. “When the truth emerges, it’s back-page stuff.”

What Happens Next?

Neither Schumer nor Jeffries has publicly commented on the matter, and CNN has not issued a formal apology.

But the backlash—and the correction—have reignited calls from the right for greater scrutiny of media bias.

Meanwhile, Leavitt’s star continues to rise within conservative circles, with supporters praising her no-nonsense style and willingness to challenge the press in real time.

One thing is certain: In today’s media landscape, even a single sentence can ignite a firestorm—and it often takes a sharp-eyed press secretary to put it out.