CNN Hot Mic Catches In-Studio Laugh as Hegseth's CNN-Attacking Presser Ends

"Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth lashed out at the press to start the presser, singling out CNN and saying, 'The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better!' As Hegseth left the podium at the end of the presser, the tail end of a laugh could be heard on Friday's edition of CNN News Central."

"CNN ANCHOR JOHN BERMAN: Very notable press briefing from the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and the chair of the Joint Chiefs, Dan Caine. I would say the most defensive we have seen Pete Hegseth in any of these briefings. He led off, not with mentioning the four airmen lost over Iraq and the refueling tanker, although he did get to that ultimately. But the secretary led with an attack on the press."

"In terms of where things stand in the conflict, the secretary was talking a great deal about the Strait of Hormuz and the fact that there is really almost no shipping passing through. The secretary said that Iran is operating with desperation in the strait. He said the United States is dealing with it and most notably, the secretary says we don't need to worry about it."

During a joint Pentagon press conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth opened by attacking the press, specifically targeting CNN and stating that David Ellison should take over the network. The briefing addressed the ongoing Iran conflict, now in its second week, with discussion of shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. General Caine described the strait as a tactically complex environment. CNN anchor John Berman noted Hegseth's defensive posture during the briefing, observing that he led with press attacks rather than acknowledging the four airmen lost over Iraq. A hot mic captured laughter as Hegseth left the podium.

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