In a recent media maelstrom, two prominent critics have urged CNN to dismiss its ‘media reporter’ Brian Stelter following a controversial tweet that many interpret as an attempt to politicize the recent shooting of two Democratic legislators in Minnesota, linked to an appointee of Governor Tim Walz. The incident has raised eyebrows not just for its content but for its timing, given that many details surrounding the shooting were still emerging.
CNN correspondent Edward-Isaac Dovere ignited the flames of this debate with a tweet that read:
“In the last week, Marines were deployed in an American city, the president has called for a governor to be arrested, the Speaker of the House has suggested that same governor be tarred and feathered, a senator has been pinned and handcuffed, and 2 state legislators have been shot in their homes.”
This incendiary statement was subsequently quote-tweeted by Stelter, who added:
And it all points in the same direction: https://t.co/6crG4y5PFO
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 14, 2025
This prompted media critic Stephen L. Miller, host of the ‘Versus Media’ podcast on Substack, to call for Stelter’s termination, stating:
Brian Stelter should be fired. pic.twitter.com/L93tUEU7Ls
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) June 14, 2025
Miller argued that Stelter’s actions were more egregious than a past tweet that led to the firing of ABC News reporter Terry Moran.
What Brian Stelter did is worse than what Terry Moran did.
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) June 14, 2025
Adding to the chorus, Joe Concha, a media analyst and contributor at FOX News, echoed the demand for Stelter’s dismissal, suggesting that he should publicly apologize before resigning:
Brian should be put on the air and forced to apologize before handing in his resignation. Seriously. https://t.co/H9Yb95YPjd pic.twitter.com/K6X5dBXcFM
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) June 14, 2025
It’s as if Brian is begging CNN to join Acosta, Lemon and Moran by being fired again. How is this acceptable? https://t.co/H9Yb95YPjd
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) June 14, 2025
Media watchdog Nicholas Fondacaro from ‘NewsBusters’ also weighed in, suggesting that Stelter should be held to the same standards that led to Moran’s firing:
The Terry-Moran Standard should be applied to Brian. https://t.co/SrxCrVvkr5 pic.twitter.com/daMd73jFIk
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) June 14, 2025
This incident is symptomatic of a larger issue facing CNN, which has struggled with viewership since the 2024 elections. The ongoing partisan rhetoric and misinformation propagated by figures like Stelter are contributing factors to the network’s declining ratings.
