CNN had become the target of widespread mockery on social media after the network confused former President Barack Obama with 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden during a humiliating on-air gaffe.
It comes as CNN continues to struggle with ratings and credibility.
A series of missteps and blunders have been fueling public skepticism about the corporate media.
From internal shakeups to on-air gaffes, the network has faced increasing criticism.
CNN made matters worse during a recent segment about President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
During a Friday broadcast, CNN anchor Boris Sanchez reported on Trump’s plan to send criminal illegal aliens to Guantanamo Bay.
While discussing the history of detainees at the facility, CNN aired a graphic meant to reference Abu Zubaydah, an alleged Al-Qaeda operative still held at the facility.
However, the network made a critical mistake in labeling Osama bin Laden’s name—replacing it with “Obama bin Laden” on-screen.
The graphic error quickly went viral, drawing widespread mockery and renewed scrutiny of CNN’s editorial standards.
Critics pointed out the significant difference between Obama and the late terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.
As video clips of the segment quickly went viral, it left many questioning how such an error made it to air without being caught by CNN’s production team.
WATCH:
CNN confuses Obama with Osama Bin Laden…
Look at their on screen graphic.
Wow…. pic.twitter.com/58jwtq4Wfq
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) February 8, 2025
CNN’s blunder comes as the network grapples with falling viewership and internal discontent.
Earlier this week, former White House correspondent Jim Acosta resigned from the network.
Acosta was reportedly frustrated over a planned move to a late-night time slot.
Jim Acosta “quits” CNN live on air pic.twitter.com/YkLGTH6ltP
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 28, 2025
Acosta has since announced he will launch a Substack newsletter.
However, some industry analysts view the move as a desperate attempt to remain relevant.
Meanwhile, CNN and MSNBC continue to struggle against the rise of independent media outlets.
Many viewers have abandoned legacy networks, citing bias, inaccuracies, and excessive partisan coverage as key reasons for turning to alternative sources.
Adding to CNN’s recent embarrassments, the network also drew criticism for its coverage of Guantanamo Bay detainees.
Some accused CNN of attempting to evoke sympathy for Zubaydah, a high-profile terror suspect.
CNN’s on-air mistake was widely mocked across social media, with many questioning whether the error was an accident or a sign of deeper incompetence within the network.
“Did anyone at CNN even bother to check the graphic before airing it?” one user posted on X.
“This is beyond embarrassing.”
Others speculated that an internal CNN staffer may have intentionally included the mistake, noting that network employees have been openly critical of leadership changes in recent months.
“How does a network like CNN make a mistake this big?” another commenter wrote.
“At this point, it looks like they just don’t care anymore.”
CNN has not yet issued a public apology for the “Obama bin Laden” blunder or even an explanation.
However, media observers expect the network will attempt damage control as it continues to battle declining ratings and internal instability.
As CNN and MSNBC face increasing competition from independent outlets and digital media.
These high-profile missteps only further erode public trust in mainstream journalism.
With Trump’s policies continuing to dominate the national conversation, networks like CNN must decide whether to prioritize accuracy or continue down a path of credibility loss.
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