Tensions are running high between CNN and the White House.
On Wednesday CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker issued a strong statement denouncing the White House after the outlet’s New York headquarters was evacuated due to receiving a bomb in the mail.
“There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media,” Zucker said. “The President, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that.”
Zucker seemed to be upset because the administration failed to mention that CNN was sent one of the bombs, which also went to Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama and other prominent Trump critics. Also, a Trump fundraising email attacking CNN was sent as the bomb stories were being reported.
Even though Trump later apologized for the fundraising email, the White House was not backing down. On Wednesday night Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders slammed CNN over Zucker’s criticism of the Trump administration’s rhetoric toward the press.
Sanders wrote on Twitter, following Trump’s rally in Wisconsin that evening.
“@realDonaldTrump asked Americans “to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the USA” Yet you chose to attack and divide. America should unite against all political violence.”
.@realDonaldTrump asked Americans “to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the USA” Yet you chose to attack and divide. America should unite against all political violence. https://t.co/Dlo3xwHyKi
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) October 25, 2018
Sanders reference was to comments made by Trump on Wednesday afternoon at the White House. In his remarks at that time he did call for unity and pledged a full investigation, but did not mention by name those who had received or been mailed the bombs.
Sanders also did not mention Trump’s remarks made at his campaign rally in Wisconsin. He called for “peace and harmony,” but then immediately suggested the media and his critics were to blame for the hostile political climate.
CNN was evacuated Wednesday morning after a suspicious package arrived at the network’s New York City offices. The package turned out to contain an explosive device similar to ones addressed to former President Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and billionaire philanthropist and Democratic donor George Soros.
Authorities also found suspicious packages on Wednesday addressed to Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and former Attorney General Eric Holder.
None of the packages detonated before being intercepted by law enforcement officials
Republicans and Democrats have both condemned the threats, but are also pointing fingers at each other for causing the current climate of political discourse.
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