CNN cites noted 'gorilla enthusiast' in its exhaustive Harambe coverage

If CNN jumped the shark Tuesday with its arresting headline, “Would Donald Trump have killed the gorilla,” then don’t be surprised when whoever’s steering the boat at the once-respected news network turns around and heads back for another pass. And another. And another.

Maybe it was done as a joke, but the fact that it is no longer possible to be certain doesn’t bode well for CNN. Democrat strategist Lis Smith, speaking to CNN this weekend about the gorilla that was shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo to save a four-year-old, was labeled as a noted “gorilla enthusiast” by the network.

CNN has someone on the show with the title of "Gorilla Enthusiast".

HOW IS THIS CONSIDERED NEWS????

— delaney (@delaneystweets) May 29, 2016

CNN currently interviewing a woman titled "Gorilla Enthusiast."
What is this monkey business.

— Aisha Sultan (@AishaS) May 29, 2016

.@Lis_Smith, gorilla enthusiast pic.twitter.com/atANWAmH36

— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) May 29, 2016

"SHE'S A GORILLA ENTHUSIAST?!" – @Dollemore, as he gets up to take a screenshot of the woman on CNN pic.twitter.com/sOK1vjBLiS

— Brittany Page (@brittanyepage) May 29, 2016

I've known @Lis_Smith to be a lot of things, but 'gorilla enthusiast' is a new one. Thank u, @CNN -made my weekend pic.twitter.com/vbHerneseX

— Melissa DeRosa (@melissadderosa) May 30, 2016

https://twitter.com/BuzzFeedAndrew/status/737732862712156160

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"Gorilla enthusiast" is 2nd worst identifier behind "Rasputin Impersonator" RT @BuzzFeedAndrew Is this @Lis_Smith? https://t.co/hXVZmvMTfL

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) May 31, 2016

“gorilla enthusiast impersonator"

— Lis Smith (@Lis_Smith) May 31, 2016

CNN is so far ahead of the game, it was news even to Smith herself that she’s a respected gorilla enthusiast. She’s since updated her Twitter profile accordingly to append her new title.

Smith has even managed to parlay her enthusiasm for gorillas into repeat appearances as the network’s go-to source.

4:30: @BenLabolt & I will be talking all things 2016. And by all things 2016, I mean #Harambe aka "the gorilla" https://t.co/F3v91THDLi

— Lis Smith (@Lis_Smith) May 31, 2016

https://twitter.com/KrisEadie/status/737639209037627392