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CNN Was Just Incapable of Enjoying the 4th of July—but They Were Not Alone in Their Misery

Brad Slager
Brad Slager  |  Jul 06, 2026
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.

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News Avoidance Syndrome – CNN

  • There is more to this story, Jake, we have already seen it reported elsewhere.

During this weekend’s July 4 celebrations in D.C., the white bread supremacists from Patriot Front showed up and did their usual; they marched in unimpressive fashion wearing their car salesman uniforms and doing not much else. The press told us this was a severe appearance, ruining the event that the press wanted nothing to do with in the first place.

Jake Tapper weighed in with his opinion on social media, and he posed like he was delivering all the details about this group.

But as he leaned on the implications that this is all a right-wing issue to be dealt with, he made mention of the connection of the group to the infamous Unite the Right rally, but he failed to include the updated information that the Southern Poverty Law Center was funding those who were involved in the planning of that rally. The former iteration of Patriot Front was among the groups who got together to organize that event in Charlottesville.

Pre-Written Field Reports – CNN

  • Dana was all set to slam the administration, but not all set for them to have a response.

Interior Secretary Doug Bergum sat in with Dana Bash, and the hostess was quick to impugn the character of the administration by asking why they had not come out with a formal denunciation of the group. Bergum states they have nothing at all similar to his views and that, as a group, they are still free to act peacefully.

You will note how Democrats are never commanded to condemn groups such as Antifa, as excuses are instead offered, such as that the group is mainly just an idea and not a formal organization.

Pre-Written Field Reports 2.0 – CNN

  • Dana was apparently in the group of anti-July 4 celebrants.

Last week, we pointed out that Anderson Cooper was in denial that anyone was in the practice of demeaning the nation’s 250th anniversary and was promptly supplied with evidence from his own network. Well, Dana Bash might be added to the list of joyous celebrants. In her talk with Bergum, she had some pointed questions about why the Reflecting Pool was closed for the 4th.

Doug supplied her with the easily researched information that the pool was fenced off as that was the staging area for the fireworks on Saturday, and this has been the common practice for past fireworks shows in the capital.

The Chyron Game – CNN

  • Annnnd, just to complete the dumping on Ms. Bash…

Most people are tiring of the Reflecting Pool non-news being perpetually reported on. We say “most” because the people at CNN are showing they do not have much intent to slow down on the non-story.

Anti-Social Behavior – CNN

  • You all just could not refrain from being miserable scolds.

Continuing with the sourness over the celebration weekend, CNN had to come out with this grave report on the air quality around D.C. as a result of the massive fireworks show put on at the capital. Just try to imagine what it feels like to have a mind that has misery as the default mode for anything potentially positive happening in the country.

Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – THE NEW YORK TIMES

  • We had to curate this gem for posterity, of course.

Also part of the weekend celebration was a show of America’s air might in the skies over D.C.

Lulu Navarro of The New York Times and CNN had perhaps the most emotional response to this type of display.

Hoax & Change – VARIOUS OUTLETS

  • Waiting for the details was apparently not an option.

On Friday, there were reports of a gunman who had been subdued in a New York City mosque before anyone had been injured. Possibly spurred by Mayor Mamdani's assumptions, there were many outlets reporting this to be a hate crime. Then the uncomfortable facts arrived. The suspect is believed to be a Muslim man by the name of Sheikh Haque.