CNN was brought to a screeching halt by reporter Erin Burnett, who had some embarrassing breaking news to deliver about US President Donald Trump amid the US-Iran conflict. During the “humiliating” announcement, AI clips of Trump being mocked and dancing on giant hamburgers were shown to viewers. The clips have been shared on social media in China ahead of the President’s meeting with China’s leader Xi Jinping.
Will Ripley, who was reporting from Taipei, said: “China’s sensors are not stopping AI videos mocking President Donald Trump and the Iran war. On Chinese social media, the message is clear, ‘so far the biggest winner is neither the US nor Iran – it’s China.’” He said Trump is set to meet the Chinese leader in Beijing next month, and online reaction has been extremely blunt as the CNN broadcast aired comments from citizens.
One said “Trump is not welcome”, while another said there is “no need to come, without credibility, what are you coming for?”
Ripley added: “Criticism of Trump seems to be spreading freely across China.” He continued by saying China is Iran’s biggest oil customer, and Beijing claims to be cutting oil demand by more than a million barrels a day.
The CNN star said: “Beijing is not fighting this war, but on China’s social media, many are declaring victory. While the US is focused on the war, China is focused on what comes after across energy, currency, supply chains and diplomacy.
“China really is trying to position itself to win, not by confronting the United States directly, but by presenting itself as the more stable alternative.”
Viewers were quick to comment on the report on X, with one writing: “No one can mock Donald Trump more than Donald Trump.”
Another said: “China is actually a serious country. And a country that makes sense.” A third added: “This is Trump’s personal nightmare – humiliation.”
