CNN chief political correspondent Dana Bash said Friday that President Trump is responsible for “stoking” hatred of the cable channel, as reflected in the “CNN sucks” chants that frequently pop up at his rallies.
She also drew a connection between Trump and CNN, and the suspect arrested Friday in the series of mail bombs around the country.
{mosads}Bash made the link while commenting on the white van believed to be connected to a suspect arrested Friday in the investigation of the mailed bombs, which have targeted Democrats. Two were addressed to former Obama administration officials at CNN’s New York address.
Bash noted that the white van, which has a number of conservative political stickers on it, including a “CNN Sucks” sticker.
“That image, CNN Sucks — of course the president didn’t direct this, he’s not technically responsible for it,” Bash said.
“But he is responsible for not just allowing the chant ‘CNN Sucks’ at his rallies. But stoking it. Making clear that he likes it. And all you need is one, forgive me, crackpot. And we have been saying this for two years. And looks like one may have emerged. And that is the danger,” she said.
“Funny how lowly rated CNN, and others, can criticize me at will, even blaming me for the current spate of Bombs and ridiculously comparing this to September 11th and the Oklahoma City bombing, yet when I criticize them they go wild and scream, ‘it’s just not Presidential!’” Trump tweeted.