The White House has blasted CNN after the corporate media network refused to air live coverage of a ceremony honoring families of Americans killed by illegal aliens.
During an event in the East Room, President Donald Trump hosted what the administration described as a solemn tribute to “Angel Families,” relatives of victims killed in crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
“Throughout this hall, I am joined by heartbroken Americans who have lost parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, and treasured loved ones to the scourge of illegal immigration, let in by the past administration,” President Trump said.
Several family members shared personal accounts of their losses.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, President Trump signed a proclamation designating February 22 as “National Angel Family Day.”
The White House stated:
“We stand with the Angel Families, many of whom continue to be left without justice.
“And we recommit to carrying out the largest mass-deportation effort in our Nation’s history, getting the worst of the worst out of our country, and putting a stop to the violence targeting the brave men and women of law enforcement.”
CNN Declines Live Coverage
The event took place during CNN’s 11 a.m. programming block.
The network did not carry the ceremony live.
Deputy Assistant to the President and White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr responded publicly:
“President Trump is currently hosting a truly tear-jerking event, signing a proclamation honoring Angel Families.”
He continued by blasting CNN’s lack of coverage:
“Sick. Disgusting. Mask is off.”
President Trump is currently hosting a truly tear jerking event, signing a proclamation honoring Angel Families.
And CNN and MSNow(?) aren’t covering it.
Sick. Disgusting. Mask is off. pic.twitter.com/wdL7r1K1wi
— Kaelan Dorr (@Kaelan47) February 23, 2026
CNN later briefly referenced the event after noon, when reporter Kristen Holmes stated:
“You‘re hearing [Trump] give these speeches saying essentially, even just now in this event that he was doing with these Angel Families, talking about how the media never gives him good coverage, he never gets credit for anything that he‘s doing.”
Administration and Allies Respond
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the network’s decision:
“@CNN is a total disgrace.
“President Trump hosted a powerful event honoring Angel Families who lost loved ones at the hands of illegal alien criminals and deadly drugs – but CNN refused to cover EVEN one second of it.
“That’s because CNN doesn’t care about the victims of illegal alien crime.
“They pretend to be a news organization, but they refuse to cover anything that doesn’t fit the Left’s narrative.
“This is why CNN is failing and losing all of their viewership.”
When NBC News senior White House correspondent Garrett Haake criticized President Trump for attacking the media during the ceremony, Leavitt responded:
“The President was attacking the media because networks like yours refuse to cover the stories of Angel Families.”
Republican communicator Steve Guest added:
“Media bias isn’t just revealed in the stories that make headlines — it’s just as evident in the stories that never get told.
“Case in point: The media’s complete disinterest in stories of Americans who were murdered by illegal aliens.”
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) argued:
“If Everyday Americans knew the devastation these criminal illegal aliens have wrought on American citizens, they would turn their back on the [Democrats].”
CNN’s Digital Coverage and Response
CNN did publish a digital article covering the ceremony.
However, the article attacked the event and attempted to dispute the data on illegal alien crime, noting:
“The president, through both of his terms in office, has often spoken about ‘angel families’ as he justifies the White House’s hardline policies on illegal immigration.
“There is no data supporting the argument that immigrants are prone to committing crime or terrorism at higher rates than the general population.”
A CNN spokesperson explained the network’s live programming decision:
“At the time of the White House event, CNN was covering the breaking news around the historic blizzard impacting millions of Americans.”
Broader Media Debate
The clash underscores an ongoing tension between the Trump administration and legacy media outlets over immigration coverage.
President Trump has consistently centered victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens in his policy messaging, arguing that enforcement failures directly endanger American citizens.
Critics contend immigration crime narratives can distort broader statistical trends.
Supporters argue that even isolated preventable deaths demand serious policy responses and national attention.
Monday’s dispute reflects not only a policy divide, but a deeper battle over which stories receive live national focus and which do not.
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.