After He Made Birther Remarks, CNN's Corey Lewandowski Nightmare Is Now A National Embarrassment

Dozens Of Media Figures Slam CNN And Lewandowski For Birther Debacle

Written by Eric Hananoki

Published

CNN and contributor Corey Lewandowski continue to embarrass themselves, this time as Lewandowski wondered on-air if President Obama was “brought into Harvard University as a citizen who wasn't from this country.” Dozens of media figures slammed the former Trump campaign manager and CNN for allowing “birther crap” on its airwaves.

Lewandowski appeared on CNN Tonight with Don Lemon on August 2 and defended former boss Donald Trump’s obsession with President Obama’s birth certificate and college transcripts, asking: “Did he get in as a U.S. citizen, or was he brought into Harvard University as a citizen who wasn't from this country?”

Lewandowski’s idiotic remarks came shortly after CNN president Jeff Zucker publicly defended the network’s hiring of Lewandowski, claiming “he’s done a really nice job.” Numerous media experts have criticized Lewandowski’s hiring on ethical grounds since he has a reported non-disparagement agreement and he is “still receiving severance from the Trump campaign” while working for CNN. Media Matters president Bradley Beychok sent a letter to Zucker last month detailing the numerous ethical concerns surrounding Lewandowski.

Lewandowski embracing birtherism in 2016 should be the last straw for the network. Back in 2009, CNN was heavily criticized for employing “publicity nightmare” Lou Dobbs, who repeatedly pushed questions about President Obama’s birth certificate. CNN eventually parted ways with Dobbs, who now works for Fox. Will CNN finally do the same with Lewandowski and his disastrous tenure?

Dozens of media figures responded to the remarks with criticism of Lewandowski, CNN, and Zucker. Here is a sampling of the media reaction: