US Air Force Shuts Down CNN's Talking Points, Troops Welcome To Bring MAGA Hats
Seemingly unconcerned about continuing to earn the “fake news” moniker, CNN yet again embarrassed itself in its rush to smear President Donald Trump. This time, the network used deployed men and women in service to the country to do so.
A CNN panel suggested there was a problem with troops bringing “Make America Great Again” hats for Trump to sign during his surprise visit with them Wednesday at al-Asad Airbase Iraq.
That was a big mistake. Not only has the network been excoriated on social media for it, but it was fact-checked by the Air Force itself.
CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta and others on the panel talked about how it could be a rule violation for the troops to have the “MAGA” hats signed by the president because they’re not allowed to be involved in “political activities.” They also questioned if Trump provided the hats for the troops.
The troops did nothing wrong and were not in any violation of any rules, as many on social media pointed out. They are allowed to have political opinions.
Never mind the hypocrisy given that Barack Obama signed things for troops during his campaign and his presidency.
DEAR CNN. .. we have this new invention called photography.
Below is a picture of Obama signing a military troop’s hat.
Care to comment, enemy of the people? pic.twitter.com/OT8jY8oGJF
— Catturd (@catturd2) December 27, 2018
Also … enemy of the people CNN …let’s check in to see what candidate Obama did when he was a US Senator .. OOPS AGAIN! 👇 pic.twitter.com/odO1SLuKLw
— Catturd (@catturd2) December 27, 2018
Now the Air Force has joined those calling out CNN over its sloppy journalism. U.S. Air Forces Europe made it clear in a statement that the troops did nothing wrong, according to Military.com.
“There is no rule against Airmen bringing personal items to be signed by the president,” USAFE said.
In addition, Military.com noted that the scene with the Air Force personnel and Trump was nothing out of the ordinary.
It is not uncommon for presidents to visit with troops, nor is it uncommon for the troops to shake hands with their commander-in-chief, take photos with him or have him sign things for them.
While CNN and others claimed it was a rule violation because “MAGA” hats were involved, the Air Force again made it clear that the troops did nothing wrong.
“Any time the commander in chief offers the opportunity to meet with Airmen, such as this official holiday visit by the President and First Lady, Airmen are welcome to participate,” USAFE said. “No policy violations have been brought to our attention at this time.”
Many parents on Twitter have said their kids ASKED for MAGA hats to be included in their Christmas care package.
— Agatha Marple (@oh_marple) December 28, 2018
The president also spoke up in defense of the troops and called out CNN and others for their reporting.
CNN & others within the Fake News Universe were going wild about my signing MAGA hats for our military in Iraq and Germany. If these brave young people ask me to sign their hat, I will sign. Can you imagine my saying NO? We brought or gave NO hats as the Fake News first reported!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2018
But why let a little thing like facts get in the way of a good smear against the president and anyone who doesn’t hate him?
As long as the establishment media continue to behave like activists rather than reporting the news accurately and fairly, their reputation with the public will continue to suffer.
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