CNN’s On-Air Blunder: Network Mistakenly Mixes Up Obama and Osama bin Laden

[Social Media]

 

CNN found itself at the center of ridicule on Friday night after an embarrassing on-air mistake that mistakenly conflated former President Barack Obama with Osama bin Laden. The blunder led to widespread mockery, further tarnishing the network’s struggling reputation.  

 

During a segment on *CNN News Central*, a graphic appeared behind anchor Boris Sanchez, erroneously reading “OBAMA BIN LADEN.” The report was covering President Trump’s plan to send illegal migrants to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and included a discussion about Al-Qaeda terrorist Abu Zubaydah, who remains imprisoned at the controversial detention facility. While Sanchez did not utter the mistaken phrase, the glaring error on the screen did not go unnoticed. The graphic, displayed in bold all-caps, read: “OBAMA BIN LADEN ASSOCIATE: ABU ZUBAYDAH.”

 

Obama had previously pledged to shut down Guantanamo Bay, a promise that ultimately went unfulfilled. His inability to close the facility paved the way for Trump’s proposed initiative to transfer up to 30,000 criminal migrants there. The mistake sparked instant reactions online, with many finding humor in the high-profile gaffe.  

 

“CNN is gone. Might as well turn off the lights,” quipped X user Clara Winslow.  

 

Another user, Daniel, questioned the network’s credibility, writing: “Freudian slip much CNN?”  

 

Some viewers, however, were convinced the mistake was more than just an accident.  

 

“That was not a misprint. Shame on whoever did that,” a liberal-leaning account on X stated, suggesting intent behind the error.  

 

The incident adds to a growing list of challenges for CNN. The network, long criticized by former President Trump and his supporters, has been struggling with declining viewership and ongoing staff reductions.

 

Just last month, CNN cut 200 jobs as part of a wave of layoffs across the company. Prominent anti-Trump figures like Jim Acosta have also recently departed, further signaling the network’s internal turmoil.  

 

Based on a report by NYP 2025-02-11

 

 

 

[mushroomdave]

Slow news day when a graphic typo makes the news thats for sure!!

[blaze master]

2 minutes ago, mushroomdave said:

Slow news day when a graphic typo makes the news thats for sure!!

 

Can't say that Dave 

[mushroomdave]

8 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

Can't say that Dave 

Not here at Asean that is, but for the Americans it was a slow day I'm saying.  

[BusyB]

43 minutes ago, mushroomdave said:

Slow news day when a graphic typo makes the news thats for sure!!

 

True but it's certainly quirky ...

[JonnyF]

Probably one of their more accurate stories.

 

They also mixed up Harris and a realistic Presidential candidate. 

 

They are a joke and everyone is switching off.

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

That was not a misprint. Shame on whoever did that,” a liberal-leaning account on X stated, suggesting intent behind the error.  

That's what I think. Probably one of Trump's cronies initiated it  Typical Rep's defamation. 😕