CNN Suffers ‘Technical Issue’ After Sanders Makes ‘Fake News’ Remark

Posted: Feb 12, 2017

The “fake news” label is now being slung at CNN from both sides of the political aisle. CNN host Erin Burnett asked Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders if President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Retired Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn, should be fired if he discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador before taking office. “This is a very troubling development,” Sanders said Friday. “It speaks to the broader issue of Russia’s involvement in our elections. It speaks to the issue of President Trump being buddy-buddy with a thug and a murderer who is the head of Russia. “Now we are learning that there may have been discussions between Flynn and the Russians about sanctions before this administration took power,” Sanders continued. “So this is very, very troubling and I think the president is going to have to tell us what he’s going to do about it.” CNN aired a clip of Trump saying he was unaware of the reports surrounding Flynn’s conversations with the ambassador of Russia. Burnett asked Sanders if Trump being unaware of the reports is problematic. “Well, I don’t know. Maybe he was watching CNN fake news. What do you think?” Bernie shot back. “It was a joke!” he quickly added. “I know it was a joke,” Burnett replied. But as she tried to ask Sanders a follow-up question, Sanders lost his connection to Burnett. “Are we on?” Sanders asked, before the program went to a commercial break. Sanders came on for another segment after the commercial break, but the conversation began with the Burnett apologizing for a “technical issue” involving Sanders and the audio. CNN host Chris Cuomo faced backlash earlier this week after arguing that accusing a journalist of reporting “fake news” is the equivalent to calling a person of color the “n-word.” Cuomo eventually apologized for the comment. ;