CNN has publicly condemned remarks made by the White House that targeted correspondent Kristen Holmes, characterizing them as "disgusting and inhumane." The network’s rebuke followed a series of critical posts from the White House on social media, which included personal attacks on Holmes after she asked President Trump a question.
One post from the White House, which tagged Holmes directly, stated: “Someday, your children will come across your disgusting and inhumane question. They will be sickened and embarrassed to have a parent be so callous and vindictive. It’s quite troubling.”
CNN described the White House's comments as an attack on a journalist asking legitimate questions. Colleagues of Holmes also voiced their disapproval. Alayna Treene, a White House correspondent for CNN, responded on X (formerly Twitter), calling the White House's statement "horrible" and emphasizing Holmes's qualities as a reporter, person, and mother. She questioned the necessity of such a reaction to a journalist seeking a response from the president regarding statements made by a Democratic senator.
Betsy Klein, another senior reporter covering the White House for CNN, also commented on social media, describing Holmes as an "excellent reporter" who asked a "good question" to which the president provided a "fulsome answer." Klein criticized the White House for bringing Holmes's children into the exchange, calling it "disgusting and inhumane."