Maybe, like us, you weren’t pleased to find out that the Obama administration was secretly flying pallets of cash to a country where they routinely chant “death to America” in the streets. That doesn’t sound like the ideal “deal partner” to us, but it did to them.
Now that President Trump is in office and taking a hard line with Iran, warning Iranian President Rouhani to “be cautious,” CNN has decided to interview some Iranians to find out just what those “death to America” chants really mean.
In Iran, 'death to America' doesn't always mean what it seems https://t.co/a2nNGFolUy pic.twitter.com/tNGwNJtvdr
— CNN (@CNN) August 22, 2018
This headline sure is one serious hot take. https://t.co/5FlSWzAJ9V
— Adam B (@AdamB_) August 22, 2018
My head just exploded https://t.co/VzazdxpoC7
— Stephanie (@StephAnn678) August 23, 2018
The piece is mainly a string of “man on the street” interviews with Iranians who are busy just living their lives, but CNN did find one person to justify that headline:
… Sajud Ibrahimi, 25, in civilian clothing with a large backpack, said: “The people of USA are very respectable. When we chant ‘death to America,’ it’s to the government of America not the people. We have no problem with the people of the USA.”
…
This is the curious paradox of the standoff between the “Great Satan” and the country Trump once threatened with a crushing military response. When their people meet, they appear to get along okay. It’s just their leaders — Iranian conservatives and American Republicans — who regularly clash.
Huh … that sounds exactly like the hot takes of American celebrities who call the NRA a terrorist organization with children’s blood on its hands, but then claim they’re not referring to the NRA’s 5 million members who are great people, only the organization’s leadership.
Brilliant move from CNN to disprove Trump’s claims that the press is the enemy of the American ppl by running a defense of chanting “death to America” https://t.co/ozjJZNzp53 pic.twitter.com/ELU6CuEoj8
— Harry Khachatrian (@Harry1T6) August 25, 2018
As someone who was forced to chant it at school assembly in Tehran I can confirm it most certainly means what it seems. https://t.co/QRrr5tWC1H
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) August 25, 2018
@RitaPanahi already confirmed but I will double up on this;
I was in protests at schools in the UAE and around them in Jordan when they were chanting this and 100% of the time “Death to America” meant death to America. https://t.co/n16HEjXayl
— Farrah Prudence (@farrah4america) August 25, 2018
Hahahah. Sometimes they just can’t hide their hatred of the country they pretend to love.
— Haggers Barlowe ?? Space Force Commander (@haggerskme) August 25, 2018
Oh my God
— ??? (@GayPatriot) August 25, 2018
Death threat nuance.
— Michael is muttering (@mlreed1956) August 25, 2018
It is pretty clear to me what it means.
— Tipping___point (@Deep6DeepState) August 25, 2018
They mean it in the nice way
— The WIN Doctor! (@WINDOCTORRX) August 25, 2018
It means have a nice day
— el kabong (@James54711658) August 22, 2018
Means i love you. Take this stupid as* tweet down
— twenty one ufo pilots (@21ufopilots) August 22, 2018
Every. Frickin. Day. CNN finds a way to limbo right under the extraordinarily low bar it set for itself the day before. Sure, CNN, let's give terrorist-friendly regimes the benefit of the doubt, while you continue to demonize our president & race-bait the country. https://t.co/Ggfgdk6t03
— ???Ryan??? (@rmead777) August 22, 2018
Unfortunately you can’t blame Trump. Iranians have been shouting “Death to America” since their revolution and Carter was President.
— TAK (@TimKerrThomson) August 22, 2018
Oh, okay. So they only want the government to be obliterated. Gotcha. Now my mind is at ease. Way to go, CNN. Once again, you have validated your desperation for clicks and ratings.
— Dalton Shafer (@DaltonNShafer) August 22, 2018
CNN, if you're trying to prove that you're not a leftist fake news propaganda organization you are failing in your attempt.
This is nothing more than pro Iranian propaganda.
— Maximus Jackassicus (@Imperator000001) August 22, 2018
CNN joining Iran’s propaganda was not something I saw coming today…… https://t.co/wmtTf6jr1K
— EducatédHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) August 25, 2018
More deep reporting by @CNN's @npwcnn…
"As with all interviews for this article, a government-provided translator was nearby."
…propagating propaganda for the mullah regime instead of reporting from the streets on #Iranprotests #IranRegimeChange@HeshmatAlavi @PahlaviReza
— De Plorabus Unum (@TedCornwell) August 25, 2018
When CNN reports the news it doesn’t always mean what it seems!
— Jason Thomas (@tiger5634) August 22, 2018
Related:
'BE CAUTIOUS!': Iran's foreign minister answers Trump's tweet, gets an EARFUL from his own people https://t.co/Rs09s7egQT
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) July 23, 2018