Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff have fired back at CNN, accusing the network of spreading false narratives about their working relationship. The backlash follows a widely criticized report that suggested tensions between the two due to Witkoff’s close ties to President Donald Trump.
CNN’s Report Sparks Controversy
CNN claimed that Rubio had been sidelined in favor of Witkoff, alleging that the envoy’s influence in foreign policy had overshadowed the Secretary of State.
“Witkoff has been a leading player in some of Trump’s highest-profile foreign policy wins,” the article stated, pointing to his role in hostage negotiations in Israel, diplomatic efforts in Ukraine, and ceasefire talks in Gaza.
The report cited anonymous sources who claimed that Witkoff had been “flying all over the world playing secretary of state” while Rubio was left out of key decisions.
From the website : Schumer’s Blunder Unmasks Democrat Strategy Behind GOP Town Hall Disruptions
Rubio and Witkoff Dismiss CNN’s Claims as ‘Gossip’
Both officials immediately refuted the claims, blasting CNN for what they called “sensationalized misinformation.”
“@CNN is an anti-Trump gossip tabloid that uses thinly sourced stories to generate clicks and try to make trouble,” Rubio tweeted. “Witkoff is one of the people I work with the CLOSEST on our team. These people are pathetic.”
Witkoff echoed Rubio’s statement, calling CNN’s reporting irresponsible journalism.
“Shame on @CNN,” he wrote. “Not one of the authors of this fabricated article even called me as a courtesy to get my thoughts. Why? Because it is completely untrue.”
He further emphasized his strong working relationship with Rubio, dismissing any notion of friction. “We work in complete sync together. There has never been a moment of tension between us, and we have become close personal friends.”
National Security and State Department Officials Weigh In
CNN was forced to update its report after receiving backlash from key Trump administration officials who denounced the story.
National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes pushed back, calling the premise of CNN’s article “completely false.”
“Secretary Rubio is a pivotal leader on President Trump’s national security team. He has spearheaded major foreign policy initiatives, particularly in Ukraine and the Western Hemisphere,” Hughes said. “Trump has assembled a powerhouse team working around the clock to deliver results.”
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce also dismissed the claims outright.
“Your premise is false,” Bruce said in a statement to CNN. “Secretary Rubio and Special Envoy Witkoff have a fantastic relationship and are working together to advance President Trump’s agenda.”
From the website : BREAKING: Trump FIRES DHS Civil Rights Staff, Paves Way for Tougher Immigration Crackdown
CNN Faces Backlash for Alleged ‘Clickbait Reporting’
As criticism mounts, CNN’s credibility is once again under fire for relying on anonymous sources and pushing a divisive narrative about the Trump administration.
With the 2024 election cycle heating up, this latest controversy underscores growing concerns about media bias and misinformation—raising questions about whether CNN’s reporting was an attempt to sow division within the Republican leadership.
Stay tuned for further developments on this unfolding story. DifferentHub
Discover more from Different Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
