CNN reporter Natasha Bertrand is facing renewed criticism after co-authoring a recent report citing anonymous sources who claim that recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities failed to destroy critical infrastructure. The article, co-written by Bertrand, Katie Bo Lillis, and Zachary Cohen, quoted an early U.S. intelligence assessment suggesting Operation Midnight Hammer only delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by a few months.
The report has drawn backlash from former President Donald Trump and several national security officials, who assert that the operation was far more effective than CNN’s reporting indicates.
Trump pointed to a report from Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission stating that the strike on Iran’s Fordow facility “destroyed the site’s critical infrastructure” and significantly delayed Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also confirmed that new intelligence supports the success of the operation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the controversy, stating that the FBI is investigating the source of the CNN report leak, which she described as “an illegal leak.” Leavitt also questioned Bertrand’s credibility, citing her 2020 Politico article that featured a letter signed by over 50 former intelligence officials suggesting the Hunter Biden laptop story had the “hallmarks” of Russian disinformation.
Bertrand’s 2020 report became widely referenced in media and political discussions during the presidential campaign, despite the lack of direct evidence supporting claims of Russian involvement. At the time, then-Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Strategy and Communications Cliff Sims publicly stated that Bertrand was informed the laptop was not part of a Russian disinformation campaign.
Leavitt called the Russian disinformation claim “one of the greatest political hoaxes this country has ever seen” and said it “undermined public trust.” She added, “The CNN story does not change the facts. There was a total and complete obliteration of Iran’s nuclear facilities.”
In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, Trump harshly criticized Bertrand, calling for her to be fired from CNN and accusing her of spreading misinformation.
“Natasha Bertrand should be FIRED from CNN! … She lied on the Laptop from Hell story, and now she lied on the Nuclear Sites story,” Trump wrote. “She should not be allowed to work at Fake News CNN. It’s people like her who destroyed the reputation of a once-great network.”
In response, CNN issued a statement defending Bertrand and her reporting. According to a spokesperson quoted by The Hill, “We do not believe it is reasonable to criticize CNN reporters for accurately reporting the existence of the assessment and accurately characterizing its findings, which are in the public interest.”
