The rise and fall of CNN: the most busted name in news

by Jon Rappoport

January 20, 2018

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“CNN is still licking their wounds after a rather disastrous couple of weeks, where a shoddy Russia-Trump story led to three staffers resigning, a Project Veritas investigation exposed that the network’s producers peddled the Russia story for ratings, and what came off as a wholly inappropriate veiled threat against an anonymous Reddit user who created a Trump WWE video, which the president tweeted before the Fourth of July Holiday. The video shows Trump beating up WWE’s Vince McMahon, whose face has been superimposed with the CNN logo. The media went apoplectic as an attack against the press; it wasn’t. This spurred the network’s reporters to find the user and pretty much threaten to dox him if he continues to post things CNN doesn’t like.” (Townhall, Matt Vespa, 7/7/17)

If you create a giant, you gain extraordinary visibility, and if the giant develops an unsightly and grotesque case of fungal disease, that’s a problem.

CNN was born in 1980. At the time, it was the first television network offering 24/7 news, and it was the first network offering nothing but news in the US.

In 1991, CNN’s coverage of the Gulf War reached a billion viewers worldwide.

Today, CNN International reaches 200 countries.

That’s a giant.

But from the beginning, back in 1980, there was a major question: how was CNN going to fill up all that time every day with news? Face it, television networks, without bells and whistles, could boil down their coverage of a day’s events in four minutes. That’s because their analysis is so thin. It’s all surface.

When you assiduously avoid looking into WHO REALLY RUNS THINGS, the well runs dry quickly. When you avoid detailing the role of mega-banks and mega-corporations and groups like the Trilateral Commission and CFR and Bilderberg, and when you never define Globalism and reveal its true agenda; when you discover nothing of value about the CIA; when you never broach the subject of American Empire; when you refuse to examine the horrendous effects of the medical system; when you fail to expose the ongoing collaboration between establishment Democrats and Republicans, and the influence of lobbyists (e.g., Israeli fronts); when you intentionally remain blind to the destruction of the American Republic and the Constitution; when you ultimately side with National Security and the Surveillance State; when you manage to sidestep actual ongoing environmental pollution flowing poisonously from a number of sources; when you refuse to reveal the full effects of open borders; when you never connect the dots and instead rely on limited hangouts;

What are you left with? What do you do, for 24 hours of every single day?

Mainly, you wait for “big events,” and then you launch wall to wall coverage for as long as your viewers can stand it. The Gulf War; the first black president; the worst president and the worst human being in history (Trump).

You develop bloated panel shows, during which pundits babble across each other like meth addicts in a rubber room.

You call “the news” The Situation Room, as if you’re breaking vital stories every 30 seconds.

You plow the same ground over and over, until not even weeds can grow in the soil.

You fill your basket with the eggs of the “progressive agenda.” You go all in.

You fake stories.

You do a bizarre version of affirmative action with your on-air talent, as if this will result in “fairer” coverage.

And day by day, the public realizes you’re crazy.

You can’t hide, because you aren’t just laying on three fake newscasts a day; you’re ON all the time.

You’re hoping against hope for a new terror attack or a natural disaster, so you can flood the airwaves with live reports, but in the meantime, you’ll stick with 24/7 Trump, because he’s “the most interesting man in the world.” He’s creating your ratings, such as they are. You’re the tabloid at the checkout counter in the supermarket, and he’s always on the cover. You love him. You need him. It doesn’t matter whether he’s done what you say he’s done. That’s never been the issue. Without his presence, you’d be raking leaves outside a nursing home. You’re the self-appointed Pope, and he’s Satan, and that means dollars.

As a bonus, you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, on behalf of Globalism and the “interdependent world.” The risk of Trump speaking words of Nationalism against Globalism (whether or not he meant them) is too great to go unchallenged. The international system (aka technocracy) that has been under construction since the dawn of the 20th century must not be derailed.

So whether it’s the way Trump sips water from a bottle, or scratches his nose, or treats one of your so-called reporters, you’re the National Enquirer blowing it up into a scandal of the moment. You’re leaking leaks from pipes that don’t even exist. Maybe he has a love child; look into that. Maybe he has another wife he never divorced. Maybe he’s an alien from Venus.

Keep those ad revenues flowing, no matter what. Face it, you’ve got nothing else going for you. Connect Trump to the latest news from Tibet if you have to. Or Madagascar. Or Tierra del Fuego. He caused the cold snap across America, because he didn’t sign the Paris Climate Accords.

You’re CNN, “the most trusted name in news.”

Ride that horse all the way to the end of the road.

If you end up shithole broke, somebody will bail you out. Warts and all, you’re too big to fail. Not just because of your work against Trump, but because The News, as the public knows it, must survive.

Otherwise, the people will find out what’s really going on in this world and who runs things. And that must never happen.

That’s the prime situation in The Situation Room.

Who could have guessed, say, 15 years ago, that the following exchange would occur on CNN, in March of 2014?

As reported by New York Magazine, CNN host Don Lemon, discussing the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, said: “People are saying to me, why aren’t you talking about the possibility — and I’m just putting it out there — that something odd happened to this plane, something beyond our understanding? What if it was something fully that we don’t really understand? A lot of people have been asking about that, about black holes and on, and on, and on, and all of these conspiracy theories…That’s what people are saying. I know it’s preposterous — but is it preposterous, you think, Mary?”

To which, Mary Schiavo, ex-Department of Transportation inspector general, replied: “Well, it is. A small black hole would suck in our entire universe so we know it’s not that.”

Maybe it WAS a black hole, and we all disappeared, and resurfaced in an alternate universe, where we got the CNN we know today.

Let’s look at Jeff Zucker, CNN’s boss.

In April 2017, Zucker baldly told the New York Times, “The idea that politics is sport is undeniable, and we understood that and approached it that way.” The “it” was certainly the 2016 presidential campaign.

Zucker always has understood political news in this corrupt fashion—and in the process, he helped elect a US president and a California governor.

Zucker was the man who launched The Apprentice, starring Donald Trump, at NBC, in 2004.

In other words, Zucker happened to play a major role in electing Donald Trump. There is no getting around it.

Washington Post, October 2, 2016: “Looking for someone specific to hold responsible for the improbable rise of Donald Trump?”

“Although there are many options, you could do worse than to take a hard look at Jeff Zucker, president of CNN Worldwide.”

“It was Zucker, after all, who as the new head of NBC Entertainment gave Trump his start in reality TV with ‘The Apprentice’ and then milked the real estate developer’s uncanny knack for success for all it was worth in ratings and profits.”

“And it succeeded wildly — boosting the network’s ratings, as well as Zucker’s [and Trump’s] meteoric career. In turn, under Zucker, the show gave rise to ‘Celebrity Apprentice,’ another Trump extravaganza. And, in turn, Zucker became the head of NBC overall.”

“The show [The Apprentice] was built as a virtually nonstop advertisement for the Trump empire and lifestyle…”

“The executive [Jeff Zucker] rode the Trump steed hard. When the reality-TV star was preparing to marry Melania Knauss in 2005, Zucker wanted to broadcast the wedding live. (Trump, uncharacteristically, declined.)”

“But make no mistake: There would be no Trump-the-politician without Trump-the-TV-star. One begot the other.”

POLITICS IS TELEVISION, AND TELEVISION IS POLITICS.

If you’re looking for a person who embodies that fake version of reality most purely, you need look no further than Jeff Zucker.

Despite his network’s present hatred of Trump, Zucker would give Trump his own show right now if he wanted one.

For ratings and ad revenues.

Consider another event, one which I’ve analyzed in great detail. It took place on NBC in 2003, when Zucker was the head of the network’s entertainment division. The Tonight Show, with Jeno Leno, was a prime piece of that division then. What Leno pulled off in 2003 had to have the OK from Zucker, because it was a highly unusual move, a distinctly unethical move.

An actor wanted to launch a political career and become a governor. The whole news division of a major network surrendered itself, for one ratings-busting night, to a talk show.

This is how Arnold Schwarzenegger won the California governor’s race. It all came down to his famous appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, where he announced that he was going to run.

The Arnold interview was a global event. It was pre-hyped to the sky, and after three red hot six-minute segments, with a studio audience screaming in approval, the election was virtually over.

POLITICS IS TELEVISION. TELEVISION IS POLITICS.

Here are a few of CNN’s “black-hole” gaffes, just refresh your memory—

Because Trump was attacking CNN and other media as fake, CNN claimed THAT was making life more physically dangerous for journalists in war zones and at home. Wow. I guess the takeaway is: don’t criticize mainstream news, keep your mouth shut and stay hypnotized…

Independent journalist, James O’Keefe, released two undercover sting videos which revealed CNN medical producer, John Bonifield, remarking that the whole Trump-Russia scandal is “mostly bullshit right now, like, we don’t have any giant proof”; and Van Jones, CNN political commentator, stating that “the Russia thing is just a big nothing burger.” Of course, CNN relentlessly pursues the Trump-Russia story as if God and a choir of angels have certified it as the truest, most important event of our time.

June 2017: CNN dumped Reza Aslan, the host of their network documentary series called Believer. Why? Because Aslan tweeted, “This piece of shit [Donald Trump] is not just an embarrassment to America and a stain on the presidency. He’s an embarrassment to humankind.”

October 2016: CNN contributor Donna Brazile was dumped, because she passed along questions that would be asked in an upcoming presidential debate, sponsored by CNN. Brazile passed those questions to the Hillary Clinton camp.

CNN reporter-dunce Chris Cuomo, during the 2016 election campaign, preposterously told the viewing audience that accessing Wikileaks’ treasure trove of John Podesta emails was a crime—for any member of the public. Only “the media” were permitted to perform that delicate operation and then decide what to report. Put a picture of Cuomo on your wall and pray to it every night.

On June 13, 2015, CNN host Fredricka Whitfield talked about the attack on the Dallas police headquarters. She said the shooter, James Boulware, was “courageous and brave, if not crazy.” Who’s crazy, Fredricka?

The 2016 Milwaukee riots. CNN aired a woman named Sherelle Smith telling the rioters, “Don’t bring that violence here.” She was calling for peace. Well, not exactly. The network failed to broadcast the rest of Smith’s advice: “Burning down shit ain’t going to help nobody! Y’all burning down shit we need in our community. Take that shit to the suburbs! Burn that shit down!”

CNN: the most trusted name in news.


The Matrix Revealed

(To read about Jon’s mega-collection, The Matrix Revealed, click here.)


Jon Rappoport

The author of three explosive collections, THE MATRIX REVEALED, EXIT FROM THE MATRIX, and POWER OUTSIDE THE MATRIX, Jon was a candidate for a US Congressional seat in the 29th District of California. He maintains a consulting practice for private clients, the purpose of which is the expansion of personal creative power. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, he has worked as an investigative reporter for 30 years, writing articles on politics, medicine, and health for CBS Healthwatch, LA Weekly, Spin Magazine, Stern, and other newspapers and magazines in the US and Europe. Jon has delivered lectures and seminars on global politics, health, logic, and creative power to audiences around the world. You can sign up for his free NoMoreFakeNews emails here or his free OutsideTheRealityMachine emails here.

23 comments on “The rise and fall of CNN: the most busted name in news

  1. Dana Doran says:

    I’m going to slightly disagree with your synopsis of super-market tabloids….the Enquirer and the Globe probably have more facts in their stories than CNN presents on any topic.

  2. Mark P says:

    Another beautifully written piece of journalism Mr. Rappaport.

  3. elantoh says:

    Amazing work Jon, thanks.

    I only started watching Cable TV the past couple of years. Had a TV in my camper for years but after things went digital that was that.

    As you have so elequently pointed out, it is all lies. The so-called “alternative” news blogs on the web are mostly mini-me MSM shows…constant fear porn headlines and stories, way too much slimy advertising, and no SOLUTION articles to be found anywhere.

    You, James Fetzer, James Corbett, and a few others are the minority of truthful reporting out here in blogoland now.

    • honestliberty says:

      Tragedy and Hope by Richard Grove is an excellent source.
      School Sucks project is another amazing source.
      Wattsupwiththat.com – great stuff
      Jordan Peterson – great
      Randall Carlson (I should lump him in with WUWT – and also Graham Hancock is a real treat)
      Larken Rose is another awesome fella.

      There is plenty of incredible individual media to be found with many great paths to explore. I wish you well.

      Most won’t like Mark Passio, and yes he is tough (if you aren’t from near Philly like me) but many of the things he claimed that I originally scoffed… well, I’m really coming around now to his information. He is the only person I’ve seen yet to cover mind control, the occult, and symbolism to such an extent, but brace yourself

  4. Douglas Girard says:

    There is dignity in raking leaves outside a nursing home.

  5. Abe says:

    Who can forget Chuck Jackoff and his fake scud attack?? All live from Atlanta.
    CNN Fake Iraq War Newscast Footage
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isMtxbPdvzg

  6. From Quebec says:

    I do not believe for one moment that CNN and the Apprentice helped Trump to win the election,

    The whole world knew that Trump was a successful builder and a New York billionaire. How could they not know? He puts his name on all his buildings, big huge name in gold.

    That is all I knew about Trump and I am not the only one. I did not even know what he looked like.

    Besides, CNN is the network of the left, the democrats and the snowflake idiots. I would not be surprised to hear that not one of the CNN viewers voted for Trump.

    For the first time, Jon, I disagree with you 100%

    • From Quebec says:

      When I first saw him in the debate, I knew right away that he was the man for the job and that he would be President,

      Bashing all the other candidates is what the peoples wanted for a long time, at least for the people on the right side.

      He did it on his own, he did not need stupid CNN viewers.

  7. John says:

    Have you ever seen that little puppet/ stooge for the deep state called Jim Acosta? This little propagandist deep state stooge seems to obsess in being the “gotcha guy” who never seems to get anybody but only succeeds in making a fool of himself every time he asks a question.

    I mean it really does get tiresome to watch this mental midget go about his daily ritual/charade of pretending to be a journalist. Acosta has gotten past the point of being funny, the “man” has turned into the most loathsome partisan liberal hack that CNN employs. This speaks volumes for a network which lacks any intellectual integrity and whose only purpose now is pretty clear. Their main focus has gone from being a liberal propagandist media into something now far worse, the main stooge for the technocrat police state looking to take down a duly elected president. What a pathetic bunch of losers on CNN, the people who watch this BS every day are really beyond any kind of redemption.

  8. Jacqueline Worthington says:

    RIP CNN

  9. barnaby says:

    Global Research (dot ca or org): “The CIA & the media: 50 facts the world needs to know”, by James Tracy. This addresses root cause. Also, “Tavistock Institute, the best kept secret in America” by Byron T Weeks, MD.

  10. John says:

    Time-Warner, owner of CNN, is a corporate sponsor of the Rockefeller CFR. TW chairman Jeffrey Bewkes is a CFR member, along with David Gergen, Christiane Amanpour, Paula Zahn, Jake Tapper, Fareed Zakaria, James Sciutto, and Rana Foroohar. Also Bill Clinton, John McCain and George Soros.

    See lists in the CFR annual report.

  11. honestliberty says:

    I’ve been waiting for this from Jon for quite some time!
    ” and the influence of lobbyists (e.g., Israeli fronts); ”

    Thank you Jon! I am satiated for the time being. At least I know you are aware of the havoc they wreak, but I knew you always did. BTW, you’re Space virus call-out already showed up in the Guardian.

  12. The Real McCoy says:

    “When the reality-TV star was preparing to marry Melania Knauss in 2005, Zucker wanted to broadcast the wedding live. (Trump, uncharacteristically, declined.)” Echos of The Fountainhead! Is Trump what Gail Wynand would have looked like as Prez?!?

  13. JB says:

    My my, to know so much about CNN (et al) one would have to be watching it. Who has time for that? Since childhood, when the news came on I would either change the station or turn off the receiver. I’ve never had any interest in advertisement, whether by sponsors or “news”casters. George Carlin, Foster Brooks, Johnny Carson, and Bob Hope rendered better news events.

  14. krys says:

    NAILED it! A more accurate & precise portrayal of the propaganda news network I don’t think I’ll ever see.

  15. CPP says:

    “What are you left with? What do you do, for 24 hours of every single day?”

    Hence Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, and after that pulled more viewers than the news, This is Life with Lisa Ling and The Wonder List with Bill Weir. Then there’s The Hunt with John Walsh, Death Row Stories, United Shades of America, Morgan Spurlock: Inside Man, Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies, the specials on recent decades (60s thru 90s), and Finding Jesus broadcast around Christmas & Easter. Then add other specials and reruns of all of the above (especially Bourdain).

    At least these kinds of shows provide some windows into the actual world out there, which is quite a contrast from the la-la-land bubble of their newsroom, where almost nothing exists anymore save for an ongoing political drama surrounding Trump and the fed gov. The non-news is more real and educational than the news.

    P.S. “A small black hole would suck in our entire universe”…what the what? I can’t imagine thinking this. D of T Inspector General? So the Earth is the entire universe? Unless it was tongue-in-cheek… Or was she just referring to the CNN newsroom?

  16. John says:

    When are you going to do an article on the all knowing and “unbiased” snopes.com? The self-appointed sole arbiter of “fairness and fact checking.”

    The deep state’s watcher and “fact checker” known as snopes which always seems to pop up on the top page of every google “search.” When are these charlatans going to be exposed for the frauds they are. Be outed for the constant left wing propaganda they spew on an hourly basis to their willfully ignorant drones. Inane drones who come to this pathetic excuse of a website to affirm their leftist confirmation biases.

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