CNN faces backlash for ‘insensitive’ reporting that there were no VIPs in Washington crash

CNN is currently facing criticism after a news report which has been deemed insensitive by many people online. CNN had reported on the Washington DC American Airlines plane crash that took place on Wednesday night, but received backlash for the way it reported the incident.

CNN was one of the first news outlets to report on the tragic accident that saw an American Airlines plane crash into the Potomac River. All 67 people on board the flight are feared to be dead, and the emergency services in Washington DC have pulled as many as 28 bodies out of the river as of Thursday morning.

“We are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,” Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly said at a press conference on Thursday morning. “At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”

CNN are facing backlash from people online regarding the “insensitive” way the news was reported on live TV and in an article. In CNN’s report, the news outlet confirmed that there were no “VIPs” on board the flight. Their official report read as follows:

“American Airlines told CNN there were 60 passengers and four crew on board the flight. The US Army helicopter had a crew of three and was not carrying any VIPs, according to a US defence official. Senior Army officials often use Black Hawks for travel in the DC area.”

CNN reporter saying that it’s good there were no VIPs on the Helicopter when it crashed is so insensitive. People are people and it’s a tragedy even if there aren’t “VIPs” on board. Should be ashamed.

— Dr. Todd Le Fondler (@abstractoragami) January 30, 2025

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People online have slated CNN for “insensitive” reporting on the matter. One user wrote on X: “CNN reporter saying that it’s good there were no VIPs on the helicopter when it crashed is so insensitive. People are people and it’s a tragedy even if there aren’t ‘VIPs’ on board. Should be ashamed.”

CNN, abby phillips,
Correction: all passengers on board were VIPs.
We mourn their deaths because we are human beings.

Do better.

— Deplorablistic ✝️ 🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@burrengrl) January 30, 2025

Another said “CNN, Abby Phillips, correction: All passengers on board were VIPs. We mourn their deaths because we are human beings. Do better.”

@cnn @cnnbrk Show respect to the people who died in the plane and Blackhawk crash! We get that there were no VIPs but to their families these people were the VIPs!

— Queen of the Pack. 🇺🇸 (@graywolf4143) January 30, 2025