President Donald Trump engaged in a verbal exchange with CNN White House correspondent Alayna Treene during a flagpole installation ceremony at the White House on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Trump dismissed CNN as fake news and questioned its viewership when Treene asked about divisions among his supporters regarding potential U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.
This interaction took place on the South Lawn as Trump oversaw the installation of new flagpoles at the White House. When Treene mentioned a split among his supporters on the U.S. response, Trump interrupted, asking for her media affiliation. Upon hearing CNN, he labeled the network as fake news, saying “Fortunately nobody watches”.
When Treene continued her inquiry about supporters’ concerns over U.S. involvement in another foreign conflict, Trump’s hostility increased. He responded with personal comments, asking, “Do you ever ask a positive question at CNN?” Trump then claimed his supporters are more devoted to him now than during the election, citing his electoral victory statistics.
The exchange exemplified Trump’s tendency to counter challenging questions by attacking the credibility of media outlets instead of addressing policy issues. This has become a common feature of his interactions with the press, which often serves to shift focus from policy to media bias narratives.
The confrontation happened as Trump’s political base experienced tension over his administration’s hawkish stance on Iran. Prominent conservatives like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon have criticized Trump’s Iran policy, causing a division among MAGA supporters. Trump dismissed any notion of a split among his supporters.
Recent polling data indicates that Trump’s claims of unwavering supporter loyalty may be overstated. Half of Americans polled view Iran as an enemy to the U.S.; 25% consider it unfriendly, and 5% see it as an ally or friendly.
Only 16% of those surveyed believe the U.S. military should intervene in the Israel-Iran conflict; 60% oppose it, and 24% are unsure.
Majorities of Democrats (65%), Independents (61%), and Republicans (53%) oppose U.S. military intervention in Iran, contradicting Trump’s assertion of unified support for his foreign policy decisions.
Trump’s combative stance toward CNN is part of a larger pattern of confrontations with mainstream media. Throughout his term, he has frequently clashed with CNN reporters, including Kaitlan Collins and Jim Acosta, often questioning the network’s credibility and viewership while deflecting substantive questions.
The Trump administration is considering military action against Iranian nuclear sites, which would require American-made bunker-busting bombs. Trump has expressed uncertainty on proceeding, stating he may or may not take action, contributing to supporter divisions that Treene sought to address.
Brian Glenn, a Real America’s Voice correspondent and partner of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, attempted to rephrase Treene’s question to favor Trump. Glenn noted that while Trump’s base remains loyal, some supporters worry about prolonged military engagement. Trump assured there would be no long-term war, maintaining aggressive rhetoric toward Iran.
The flagpole ceremony was intended as a symbolic gesture, with Trump announcing the installation of two flagpoles as a personal gift to the American people. The event became an opportunity for Trump to field questions, though he focused on media criticism rather than policy issues.
The confrontation with Treene occurred amid mounting pressure within Trump’s political coalition. Republican hawks urge decisive action against Iran, while isolationist MAGA voices express concerns over Middle Eastern entanglement, creating a complex political landscape for Trump’s foreign policy decisions.
During the interaction, Trump also highlighted his electoral success, claiming he won all seven swing states and numerous districts compared to his opponent’s fewer wins. He used these figures to deflect from Treene’s questions on supporter divisions, suggesting his electoral mandate validates his policy decisions despite criticism.
This exchange illustrated how Trump views press interactions as opportunities for political theater rather than substantive policy discussion, especially when faced with questions challenging his narrative of complete supporter unity.
