CNN Is Not Fake News—But Let’s Talk About Who Actually Is

Julie Bolejack

— 3 min read
CNN Is Not Fake News—But Let’s Talk About Who Actually Is
Photo by pcrm Dorego / Unsplash

Spoiler: It Ain’t CNN Spinning You in Circles

Dear Friends Who Still Have Brain Cells Left,

Let’s set the record straight, shall we?

No, CNN is not “fake news.”

You know what is fake news? The slurry of conspiracy soup being spoon-fed to you nightly by networks that think journalism is a partisan game show where the winner gets a shoutout from Donald J. Truth-Twister himself.

CNN isn’t perfect—no outlet is. But at least they still believe in pesky little things like facts, sources, multiple viewpoints, and correcting themselves when they get it wrong (looking at you, Fox News, who had to pay out $787 million in hush money to Dominion Voting Systems but somehow still gets to call themselves a “news” network).

Let’s walk down the Yellow Brick Road of Bullsh*t together, shall we?

Exhibit A: FOX “We Just Make It Up As We Go” News

This is the same network where Tucker Carlson literally admitted under oath that his show isn’t news and that no “reasonable viewer” should take him seriously. And yet—millions do, apparently including your Uncle Randy and half of Congress.

Fox News is the place where you learn COVID vaccines contain microchips, Trump won in a landslide (even though he lost by 7 million votes), and Hunter Biden is responsible for every economic woe from your grocery bill to your erectile dysfunction.

They parrot Kremlin talking points. They make excuses for January 6th insurrectionists like they’re misunderstood frat bros. They treat Project 2025 like it’s a warm hug for America, not the dystopian Christian Handmaid’s Tale manifesto that it actually is.

And that’s just Monday.

Exhibit B: OANN—Only Absurd Nonsense Network

One America News is what happens when your drunk uncle starts a YouTube channel and someone hands him a flag and a broadcasting license. Their fact-checking process involves staring into a MAGA snow globe and asking, “What would Steve Bannon say?”

They reported the 2020 election was stolen even after the courts, audits, and recounts said otherwise. They’ve claimed Trump is the actual president—still. You know, like a guy hiding behind the White House curtains just waiting for the real Joe Biden to blink.

That’s not news. That’s delusion cosplay.

Exhibit C: Newsmax—Maximum Lies, Minimum Facts

If Fox News is gaslighting America, Newsmax is flicking the lighter. They go beyond the fringe and proudly live there. They’d rather interview a ham sandwich wearing a MAGA hat than a credentialed expert. And don’t worry about pesky “facts”—they have feelings, and those feelings are red, white, and rage.

So let’s review:

  • CNN interviews both sides.
  • CNN uses real reporters.
  • CNN has actual bureaus around the world—not a folding table in someone’s basement.
  • CNN checks their sources.
  • CNN has editors. (Looking at you, Truth Social.)

And while we’re at it—can we stop pretending “bias” is the same as “fake”? If you don’t like what CNN reports, it doesn’t mean it’s false. It means reality has a liberal bias and you’re not emotionally prepared to deal with it.

Maybe you’d prefer someone to tell you a bedtime story about how Trump is the Chosen One, the libs are drinking baby blood, and Jesus drives a Ford F-150 with a Punisher sticker. That’s not news. That’s a QAnon fanfic.

Here’s the hard truth, kids:

Fake news is when media outlets knowingly spread lies to manipulate public opinion. CNN is not doing that. FOX, OANN, Newsmax, Breitbart, and Truth Social? Hand in the cookie jar. Over and over. And somehow still blaming the crumbs on George Soros.

The irony is stunning: The same people screaming “fake news” are the ones chain-smoking it like it’s the last Marlboro at the end of the world.

So, What Do You Do?

You vet your sources. You ask, “Who owns this outlet? What’s their agenda? Do they cite sources? Do other outlets confirm this?”

You don’t get your news from memes. Or TikToks with 7 American flags and a guy yelling in his truck.

And for the love of democracy, stop calling CNN fake news just because it makes your favorite con artist look bad. That’s not journalism’s fault. That’s reality catching up to the lie.

CNN isn’t perfect. But they’re trying. Which is more than we can say for the propaganda factories with Fox logos.

So next time someone parrots “CNN is fake news,” kindly hand them this newsletter. Then offer them a warm mug of “get a grip” and remind them:

Real news challenges you. Fake news comforts your bias.

Stay smart. Stay skeptical. Stay CNN-worthy.

With Fact-Checked Fury,

Julie Bolejack, MBA

(inspired by seeing Blondi on tv saying “fake news” about reports of administration failures regarding Texas flooding and the Epstein debacle)



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