President Donald Trump reportedly launched a fierce attack on CNN this weekend, condemning the network after it published a report suggesting that the administration had engaged in secret discussions about investing billions of dollars in Iran’s civilian nuclear program.
In a tirade on Truth Social, Mr. Trump dismissed the coverage as a “HOAX” and referred to CNN employees as “sleazebags” and “SICK!!!”
The internal documents at the center of the controversy reportedly revealed that the U.S. had explored options to fund a $20–30 billion non-military nuclear initiative in Iran and to lift sanctions to provide Tehran with access to blocked bank assets.
The revelations appeared alongside discussion of U.S.-Iran negotiations scheduled for next week, raising questions about the administration’s strategy toward Tehran.
Trump’s response was swift and scathing. In late-night posts, he labeled the report an effort to “demean” both the White House and its military achievements.
He extended his criticism beyond the story’s authors, attacking anchor Abby Phillip and other network journalists for what he suggested was ideological bias and incompetence.
The rebuttal reflects broader friction between the Trump administration and the mainstream press.
Trump has repeatedly accused CNN of fabricating stories, framing them as part of a larger “fake news” campaign aimed at undermining his presidency and national security claims.
Yet the network’s report cited multiple sources and was vetted by legal counsel before publication.
Despite Trump’s claims, intelligence officials have confirmed that discussions of a civilian nuclear proposal did take place, albeit at early stages.
The episode follows a pattern of media-government tension that has marked Trump’s political career. He has previously labeled critical outlets as the “enemy of the people,” and occasional clashes with journalists have erupted whenever leaking or coverage undermined strategic narratives—especially those associated with national security or military operations.
In this case, the story touches on high-stakes diplomacy involving Iran, where U.S. officials are reportedly preparing to offer Tehran a path toward civilian nuclear energy in exchange for non-enrichment commitments.
Supporters argue that such a plan could strengthen nonproliferation safeguards; critics see it as appeasing a regime with a history of nuclear ambition.
For Trump, the coverage represented a strategic attack by what he calls a hostile media. “Who in the Fake News Media is the SleazeBag…” he posted, signaling intensified rhetorical friction.
As the policy debate over Iran unfolds, with a key round of talks on the horizon, this clash underscores how deeply media narratives can shape diplomatic initiatives—and how resistant Mr. Trump remains to any reporting that challenges his framing of U.S.–Iran relations.
[READ MORE: Trump Announces He May Bomb Iran Again If He Thinks it Is Necessary]
