US President Donald Trump lashes out at CNN correspondent Natasha Bertrand for reporting that US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites only delayed Tehran’s program by months, calling for her dismissal amid escalating political tensions.

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In a sharp escalation of his ongoing war against independent media, US President Donald Trump publicly demanded that CNN fire correspondent Natasha Bertrand after she reported on an internal US intelligence assessment revealing that recent American attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities caused only minor delays to Tehran’s nuclear program.

Trump took to his social media platform Truth on June 25, 2025, to accuse Bertrand of spreading “fake news,” insisting she should be “reprimanded immediately, and then fired ‘like a dog.’” He claimed the report unfairly discredited “our patriotic pilots” and falsely minimized the success of the operation, which he described as a “total destruction” and a “historic success.”

CNN swiftly defended Bertrand, affirming full support for her and her colleagues’ coverage of the initial intelligence findings. The network emphasized that the report clearly stated the assessment was preliminary and subject to change as more information became available. CNN criticized Trump’s attacks as unreasonable attempts to undermine accurate journalism on matters of critical public interest.

The intelligence report in question revealed that the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites last Saturday only delayed Tehran’s nuclear program by a few months, contradicting official claims of a decisive blow.

The Myth of Free Press in the United States

This episode lays bare the myth of a “free press” in the United States,a notion often touted by Western governments and mainstream media but contradicted by reality. Media outlets like CNN operate within a framework heavily influenced by corporate interests, political power, and state agendas. Journalists who report inconvenient truths, especially those that challenge the dominant narratives of US foreign policy and military actions, face intense backlash, censorship, or even threats to their careers.

Trump’s public attack on Bertrand exposes how media freedom in the US is conditional, often subordinated to political expediency and propaganda needs. Far from being a bastion of independent journalism, the US media landscape frequently serves as a tool to manufacture consent for imperialist interventions and silence dissenting voices.

Trump’s denunciation of Bertrand fits into a broader pattern of hostility towards the press and political adversaries. Earlier the same day, he launched a scathing attack on Democratic politicians following the victory of Zohran Mamdani, whom Trump labeled a “100% communist lunatic” poised to become New York City’s mayor. He derided prominent progressive figures including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, mocking their intelligence and political positions.

Donald J. Trump Truth Social 06.25.25 05:13 PM EST

Secretary of Defense (War!) Pete Hegseth, together with Military Representatives, will be holding a Major News Conference tomorrow morning at 8 A.M. EST at The Pentagon, in order to fight for the Dignity of our Great American…

— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) June 25, 2025

This rhetoric reflects Trump’s ongoing efforts to rally his base by demonizing left-wing politicians and independent media outlets that challenge his narratives.

Trump’s attacks on journalists like Bertrand expose the dangerous intersection of political power and media manipulation. Accurate reporting on the limited impact of US military actions against Iran is vital to counter the warmongering narratives that justify aggression and escalate conflict in the Middle East.

The attempt to silence or discredit reporters threatens democratic accountability and the public’s right to know the truth behind government actions.

Trump’s call to fire a journalist for revealing inconvenient facts about US military operations against Iran underscores the urgent need to defend independent media and resist efforts to weaponize information in service of imperialist agendas. The myth of a free press in the United States must be challenged, and progressive movements must stand in solidarity with truth-tellers confronting political repression and misinformation.

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