Latest news with #BurnettOutFront
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
CNN's Erin Burnett Under Fire for Misidentifying NYC Shooter's Race in Live NFL HQ Coverage
CNN anchor Erin Burnett faces backlash (Image credits: IG/X) CNN primetime anchor Erin Burnett, one of the network's most recognizable faces, is facing mounting criticism for an on-air statement during her live broadcast on the Park Avenue mass shooting in Manhattan. While reporting the unfolding situation, Burnett identified the shooter as 'possibly white'—a claim that contradicted the NYPD's initial description, which cited the suspect as 'possibly Middle Eastern.' The remark has ignited a social media storm, drawing attention not just to the incident, but to how race is reported in breaking news by major networks. Erin Burnett: CNN's Star Anchor Draws Flak As host of Erin Burnett OutFront, the journalist is known for her sharp delivery and global reporting experience. But this time, Burnett became the story. While narrating the chaos surrounding the Park Avenue shooting near the NFL headquarters, she described the alleged gunman based on early surveillance visuals. Viewers were quick to notice the contradiction with the police dispatch, which had already reported the suspect as potentially Middle Eastern. Within minutes, #ErinBurnett trended on X (formerly Twitter), where users accused CNN of misrepresenting racial identities in real-time reporting. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your donations can help this little boy see again clearly Donate For Health Donate Now Undo One widely shared post said, 'Erin Burnett looked at security footage of Park Avenue shooter Shane Tamura and declared him 'possibly white' on air. The footage showed a man with dark hair and complexion.' The Shooter: A Closer Look at Shane D. Tamura The shooter, identified as Shane D. Tamura, 27, opened fire near Midtown's high-security zone, directly across from the NFL's headquarters at 345 Park Avenue. The attack resulted in four deaths, including a decorated NYPD officer, Didarul Islam, two civilians, and a private security guard. Tamura then fatally shot himself on the 33rd floor. Tamura had a documented mental health history and was formerly based in Las Vegas. He reportedly harbored grudges toward sports institutions, with previous online posts reflecting his resentment over a failed football career. Investigators are still probing his motive but have ruled out links to terrorism. Early NYPD alerts described him as having a 'Middle Eastern appearance,' triggering further backlash against CNN's on-air reporting. Another viral user post read, '@CNN self-proclaimed 'Most Trusted News,' said the NYC shooter was a white male. Told you they are fake news.' The Narrative Problem in Real-Time News The backlash underscores a larger issue in 24/7 news broadcasting—narrative framing before confirmed facts. Burnett's brief remark, though based on visual cues, added fuel to ongoing debates around media responsibility, racial assumptions, and credibility in high-stakes live reporting. Critics argue that major outlets must exercise greater caution, especially when visuals and official statements diverge. As of now, CNN has not issued an official statement addressing Burnett's comment or the controversy it triggered. The network continues its coverage of the Park Avenue shooting aftermath, but viewer trust remains a key issue. Also read: Lane Johnson Joins Madden 99 Club, Ends Eagles' 18-Year Wait for Gaming Glory FAQs 1. Who is Shane D. Tamura? Shane D. Tamura was a 27-year-old gunman involved in the NYC mass shooting. He had a troubled past, including mental health issues and a failed sports career. 2. How many people died in the Park Avenue shooting? Four people were killed—an NYPD officer, two civilians, a private security guard—and the shooter died by suicide. 3. Did Erin Burnett correct her race comment later? No public correction or statement has been issued by either Erin Burnett or CNN, despite the growing backlash. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Politics
- Buzz Feed
Trump Hangs Up After CNN Question About Epstein Photo
President Donald Trump hung up on a CNN reporter during a phone call Tuesday that lasted a mere 30 seconds after the journalist questioned him about resurfaced images showing Jeffrey Epstein at Trump's 1993 wedding to his second wife, Marla Maples. While appearing Tuesday on Erin Burnett OutFront, reporter Andrew Kaczynski shared details about the abrupt phone call with Trump that ended in name-calling. The call took place after CNN's KFile found photos of Epstein and Trump that had not been widely reported on before. One photo showed the disgraced financier and sex offender attending Trump's Plaza Hotel wedding to Maples. In a separate image, Epstein was seen with Trump and his children at a Harley-Davidson Cafe that same year. CNN also released a video of Trump and Epstein chatting with each other at a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York in February 1999. Kaczynski told host Burnett that the call, in which he asked Trump about the images, ended with the president slamming CNN as 'fake news' and hanging up after he refused to answer questions about his past connection to Epstein. 'We were not on the phone very long. I think our call was about 30 seconds or so,' Kaczynski told Burnett. 'But when I asked him about the wedding photo, he said, he sort of paused for a second and then said, 'You've got to be kidding me,' before calling CNN 'fake news' and then hanging up on me.' In a statement to CNN, Kaczynski said, White House communications director Steven Cheung said, "These are nothing more than out-of-context frame grabs of innocuous videos and pictures of widely attended events to disgustingly infer something nefarious." Cheung added: 'The fact is that the president kicked [Epstein] out of his club for being a 'creep.'' Kaczynski's heated yet ultra-brief conversation with Trump comes after the Department of Justice and FBI released a two-page memo earlier this month, claiming their Epstein investigation determined that there was no evidence Epstein was murdered or had a 'client list' of powerful figures he could potentially blackmail. Following the memo release, Trump faced scrutiny over his administration's handling of the Epstein files, particularly from his own base. Since then, both Republicans and Democrats have called on the president and his administration to release more information.
