CNN faced backlash after framing December 2025’s 2.7% inflation under President Trump as “persistent cost of living challenges,” while portraying March 2023’s 6% under Biden as “still high, but falling.” Pointing out the double standard, a viral X post highlighted the disparity, which was amplified by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who labeled it “CNN Fake News.”
Reacting to the scandal, conservatives, including Arizona politician Kari Lake and others, accused the media of bias, which is harming their public perception. However, despite the negative coverage from the deep-state-aligned media, Trump’s economy continues to be strong.
“US inflation is still high, but it’s falling…Consumer Price Index measured 6%, down from January’s 6.4%,” a CNN X post, from March 2023, during the Biden years, said. However, the same account posted, “US inflation remained at 2.7% in December, underscoring persistent cost of living challenges,” in early 2026.
Reacting to the situation, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt laconically said, “CNN Fake News.” Agreeing, Kari Lake, Arizona MAGA firebrand and acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, quipped, “How the fake news works in one photo.”
“For CNN, a 6% inflation rate under Biden was considered good, but a 2% inflation rate under Trump is considered bad,” explained Emmanuel Rincón, the founder of political consulting firm Regional Renaissance Consulting.
Business strategist and market commentator Evelio Silvera noted that CNN is using “completely different tone based on who’s in office, not what the numbers actually show,” and “people are tired of being lied to and talked to like they’re idiots.” Adding, “Anyone paying attention can see the double standard.” – Evelio Silvera.
Similarly, Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, Alex Triantafilou, reacted, “how CNN covers Biden’s runaway inflation compared to Trump’s amazing work to curb it” is the reason “why @CNN and much of the mainstream press is to be totally ignored.”
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Breaking down the situation on social media, a viral post noted, “CNN under Biden: 6% inflation — “still high, but falling.” CNN under President Trump: 2.7% inflation — “persistent cost-of-living challenges.” Same outlet. Same CPI report. Completely different tone based on who’s in office, not what the numbers actually show.”
Continuing, the same user added, “People are tired of being lied to and talked to like they’re idiots. Anyone paying attention can see the double standard. Here’s the truth: inflation coming down is good news. Prices stabilizing means real relief for everyday Americans.”
Similarly irritated, another added, “This is fake CNN. They should not be able to call themselves a news station. They are nothing but a propaganda machine for the democrats. How they describe 6% inflation under Biden and 2.7% under President Trump.”
Speculating, one comment under the last post read, “CNN is still around. I thought when the people quit watching them that they had to shut there doors. Face it, even the dem viewers saw them telling lie after lie and viewers droped over 70%. I hope we don’t have to pay them unemployment when CNN does fold.”
“Too big to sue. They still receive tax money in round about ways. There are apparently no laws that protect citizens from propaganda by ultra wealthy corporations. Citizens have no means to change or stop this. Enjoy your Wednesday,” a cynical response noted.