CNN’s Jake Tapper was the target of angry responses from viewers who called out his misleading claim to have an “exclusive” interview with President Donald Trump.
While CNN touted the Trump interview as an exclusive, the fact that the president’s remarks came as replies to Tapper’s questions in text messages angered viewers who accused the “State of the Union” host of airing “non-answers” and being deceptive.
Graphics of Trump’s texts were shown on screen during the segment as he addressed the government shutdown and the ceasefire deal surrounding Hamas.
(Video Credit: CNN)
“We begin with breaking news,” Tapper said as his show began.
“My exclusive new interview with President Trump on the prospect for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas,” he continued, adding that Trump “answered my questions on texts about his hopes for this nascent deal.”
Tapper went on to read Trump’s responses to his questions as graphics of the conversation were shown on the screen.
The host said he asked the president if he agreed with Sen. Lindsey Graham, who believed that Hamas likely rejected the terms of the ceasefire plan.
“We will find out. Only time will tell!!!” Trump’s text back read.
“These answers remind me of the Twilight Zone episode with Wm Shatner and the cafe fortune telling machine,” one social media user reacted on X. “Vague, pre-printed, random one liners that could be answered to any question and apply.”
These answers remind me of the Twilight Zone episode with Wm Shatner and the cafe fortune telling machine. Vague, pre-printed, random one liners that could be answered to any question and apply.
— Linda Gerber (@lgerber5885) October 5, 2025
Others also blasted the CNN host for the misleading build-up of an interview, as well as for not pressing the president more.
Jake is the worst thing that ever happened to journalism.
— Rabbit (@exrabb) October 5, 2025
This was NOT an “interview”.
If you are just going to air his propaganda, have the human decency not to call it “exclusive interview”.
— Louie blues (@BluesLouie) October 5, 2025
This is a joke “interview”. Couple of sentences from a text message conversation. Total mislead.
— jason merims (@jasonmerims) October 5, 2025
@jaketapper, turn in your press card. And your editor’s, too. An “exclusive” interview with someone claiming to be Trump…by text? You’d have been laughed out of any middle school journalism class. Jesus.
— ArlingtonMid-CitiesDemsHD94 (@DemsHd94) October 5, 2025
Other X users floated the theory that Trump’s texts, rather than an in-person interview, were proof that something was wrong with his health.
So Donald Trump is in such bad condition that he can’t even do a telephone interview? Since when did a actual reporter read an interview conducted via text messages on the air? How does he know that was even Trump?
— David Conte (@Conte13V) October 5, 2025
This led to even more condemnation of Tapper as Trump’s “lapdog.”
This is so humiliating. Jake Tapper is actually doing text interviews with Trump now — like that’s a real thing. The answers are pure gibberish, but Tapper still finds time to grovel, wishing Trump’s “vision for Gaza” succeeds. Not a single mention of his obvious mental decline.… pic.twitter.com/ICbMpbZHke
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) October 5, 2025
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.