President Donald Trump secured another strategic victory this week—this time not on the battlefield, but in the media arena. A controversial and now-discredited intelligence leak, which claimed U.S. airstrikes inflicted “little to no damage” on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, collapsed under the weight of verified facts.
The report, marked “low-confidence” and classified, was swiftly picked up and promoted by CNN and other outlets. But the reality? The strike—Operation Midnight Hammer—was a success. And the intelligence community, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, has since confirmed as much.
Natasha Bertrand was also behind the false claims that the Biden laptop was “Russia misinformation” when it was 100% true.
One of the other CNN “journalists” she worked with the Iran strikes story is Katie Bo Lillis, one of the reporters responsible for CNN’s malicious defamation… https://t.co/eYCDjlL2uR— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) June 25, 2025
Gabbard publicly acknowledged that Iran’s nuclear program has been “severely degraded” following the U.S. and Israeli coordinated air campaign. Her remarks reinforced assessments already made by the International Atomic Energy Agency and independent analysts: Iran’s enrichment capabilities have been dealt a serious blow.
The questionable report, reportedly leaked by sources on Capitol Hill, has raised alarms about internal security and politically motivated disinformation. As of Wednesday, a formal investigation is underway to determine who leaked the classified assessment, which contradicted all credible battle damage assessments from U.S. Central Command, Israeli intelligence, and international nuclear watchdogs.
Dana Bash is very triggered over Trump calling out Fake News CNN at his NATO presser.
“He is trying to manipulate the conversation!”
Trump once again puts the propaganda press on their heels. pic.twitter.com/JVSvQzz9Rh
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) June 25, 2025
Despite the official refutations, CNN continued to promote the report’s narrative. During a segment yesterday, anchor Dana Bash pushed back on Trump’s criticisms of the network, arguing that CNN was not attacking the military and accusing the president of “manipulating the conversation.” But Trump, speaking at a NATO press conference earlier that morning, accused media outlets of undermining the military by elevating a baseless and inaccurate assessment.
Rubio at NATO pushing back on reports re: Iran’s ☢️ sites: “These leakers are professional stabbers. That’s what they are. They go out and they read this stuff and they tell you what it says, against the law, but they characterize it for you in a way that is absolutely false.” pic.twitter.com/bDJdF2BkSC
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 25, 2025
His message was clear: any narrative that suggests the mission failed is not only false, but disrespectful to the U.S. servicemembers who executed it with precision and discipline.
KAROLINE LEAVITT: Whoever leaked to CNN “should go to jail.”
“The FBI is investigating.” pic.twitter.com/CXlSANPMWI
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 25, 2025
The White House has adopted a firm stance, stating that amplifying the flawed report amounts to spreading misinformation that damages public trust and morale. Trump’s remarks struck a nerve—especially at CNN, where the defensive response from Bash and others suggested the network was rattled. And as political observers have often said, when an opponent is explaining, they’re losing.
