CNN+ controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
DOJ opens Sherman Act antitrust investigation into five TV networks over suspended White House pool coverage
Investigation
The U.S. Justice Department's Antitrust Division is investigating whether ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News violated the Sherman Act when they coordinated to briefly suspend pooled White House coverage of President Donald Trump after the Trump administration barred CNN from White House grounds. Justice Department officials contacted the five networks on Friday, asking them to provide communications and other materials related to the White House television pool, and the department publicly acknowledged the Sherman Act inquiry on Saturday. The DOJ says it is examining whether the networks' actions amount to an unlawful group boycott; no determination has been made.
Source excerpt
The Justice Department said in a statement that it is examining whether the White House TV press pool — a group of broadcasters including CNN, Fox News, ABC, CBS and NBC — violated the Sherman Act by temporarily halting pooled TV coverage of Trump.
Television pool coverage of the White House has also resumed.
The announcement came after the television pool of five broadcasters ceased presidential coverage last month after the administration barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.
2026
Azerbaijan sues CNN over report on alleged cooperation with Israel in Iran war
Lawsuit filed
The Republic of Azerbaijan filed a lawsuit in Delaware against CNN, Inc. over a June 5, 2026 CNN report titled "Exclusive: Israel sent troops to Azerbaijan during Iran war, sources say." According to Azerbaijan, the report falsely claimed that it allowed Israel to use its territory to launch attacks against Iran and caused reputational harm. The legal action concerns the disputed allegations in the CNN report.
Source excerpt
The basis for the lawsuit is what the country calls "CNN's reckless reporting" on June 5, 2026 in a post titled "Exclusive: Israel sent troops to Azerbaijan during Iran war, sources say."
There is a novel (and highly dubious) lawsuit filed in Delaware by the nation of Azerbaijan against CNN for a story claiming that it was cooperating with Israel in attacks on Iran.
While the Complaint alleges that "CNN's false reporting caused reputational harm to Azerbaijan and threatens tenuous international relations,"
2026
Steven Crowder files trademark lawsuit against CNN and Jubilee
Lawsuit filed
Steven Crowder filed a trademark lawsuit against CNN and Jubilee concerning their use of "Change My Mind" in a James Talarico town hall. The dispute centers on the phrase as used in that town hall program. The filing names both CNN and Jubilee as defendants. No further details on the claims, the relief sought, or the outcome of the case are provided in the available source material.
Source excerpt
Steven Crowder Files Trademark Lawsuit Against CNN And Jubilee Over Use Of “Change My Mind” In James Talarico Town Hall
October 19, 2026 9:38am
LWC Assets IP, LLC filed the 13-page complaint on Monday, October 19, in Texas federal court against CNN and media company Jubilee, alleging trademark infringement, counterfeiting, and dilution stemming from an October 14 televised town hall featuring Democratic Senate candidate RadarJames Talarico.
2021
Flynn family members sue CNN over QAnon report
Lawsuit filed
Two family members of Michael Flynn sued CNN, alleging that its report connecting them to the QAnon movement constituted defamation. The plaintiffs seek $75 million; the allegations are claims in the lawsuit, not a court finding.
Source excerpt
Two family members of former national security adviser Michael Flynn sued CNN on Thursday, asserting a report connecting them to the QAnon movement constituted defamation.
The couple is seeking $75 million.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York, and obtained by The Epoch Times, says CNN’s Feb. 4 video report “falsely accused Plaintiffs of being ‘followers’ and supporters of” QAnon.
2020
CNN settles Covington students' lawsuit
Settlement
CNN reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by Covington Catholic schoolboys. According to the source, the settlement amount was undisclosed. The source reports the settlement without stating further terms, and no additional details about the parties, the claims, or the outcome beyond the undisclosed settlement are provided.
CNN settled a lawsuit brought by Covington Catholic schoolboys; the source says the settlement amount was undisclosed.
Source excerpt
It's just been reported that CNN has settled the lawsuit brought by the Covington Catholic schoolboys
CNN settles $275M lawsuit with Covington Catholic student Nick Sandmann
2020
Des Moines Register and CNN withhold Iowa Poll release
Company response
The Des Moines Register and CNN decided not to release their Iowa Poll after a potential error was brought to their attention. After looking into the issue, the partners said they could not guarantee the results had not been compromised.
Source excerpt
After looking into the issue, Selzer and the media partners said they could not guarantee the results had not been compromised and decided to kill the final poll before Monday's crucial first-in-the-nation caucuses.
The Des Moines Register and CNN decided late Saturday not to release their highly anticipated poll of Monday's Iowa caucuses after a potential error was brought to their attention by the campaign of Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
2020
Trump campaign sues CNN over opinion piece
Lawsuit filed
Donald Trump’s re-election campaign filed a libel lawsuit against CNN over an opinion piece about the campaign and alleged Russian assistance. The lawsuit alleges CNN published the article despite statements disavowing an intention to seek Russian assistance.
Source excerpt
Donald Trump’s re-election campaign is suing CNN for publishing an opinion piece that argued Trump did not stop Russia from helping the campaign during the presidential election.
The libel lawsuit, filed in the US district court for the northern district of Georgia, argues that CNN published the story on the campaign’s Russia ties despite “an extensive record of statements from the campaign and the administration expressly disavowing any intention to seek Russian assistance”.
The complaint alleges CNN was aware of the falsity at the time it published them but did so for the intentional purpose of hurting the campaign while misleading its own readers in the process…
2020
CNN faces backlash over debate questioning
Public backlash
CNN faced criticism from journalists over moderator Abby Phillip's questioning in the Sanders–Warren debate exchange, including criticism that the questioning treated Warren's account as fact while Sanders denied it.
Source excerpt
The CNN moderator’s one-sided questioning of Sanders and Warren drew sharp criticisms from other journalists.
CNN faced backlash Tuesday night after debate moderator Abby Phillip took Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s side and stated as fact that Sen. Bernie Sanders told Warren in a private conversation that a woman couldn’t win the presidential election.
2019
Trump campaign accuses CNN of misrepresentation
Issue disclosure
In October 2019, the Trump campaign accused CNN of misrepresenting itself to the public and advertisers, and said it intended to pursue legal action. The campaign's claims are allegations and do not constitute a court finding. No ruling, settlement, or other outcome is recorded in the available event information.
Source excerpt
BREAKING: Trump campaign lawyer notifies CNN of intent to file legal action against the network.
"Your actions are in violation of the Lanham Act, among other applicable laws, by constituting misrepresentations to the public, to your advertisers, and others."
2019
Devin Nunes files defamation suit against CNN
Lawsuit filed
Representative Devin Nunes filed a $435 million defamation lawsuit against CNN over a story alleging that he met with a fired Ukrainian prosecutor to seek information damaging to Joe Biden. The article reports the filing and does not establish the truth or falsity of the underlying allegations.
Source excerpt
Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., sued CNN for defamation on Tuesday, accusing the cable network of publishing a “demonstrably false hit piece” about him amid his high-profile opposition to the Trump impeachment inquiry.
House Intelligence Committee ranking member Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN on Dec. 3 for its Nov. 22 story claiming that Nunes was in Vienna in 2018 trying to obtain dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden.
Rep. Devin Nunes, the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, has filed a $435 million defamation suit against CNN over a story that alleged Nunes met with a fired Ukrainian prosecutor in an effort to dig up dirt on Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
2018
CNN files lawsuit against Trump administration over revocation of Jim Acosta's White House press credentials
Lawsuit filed
CNN filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking the restoration of White House correspondent Jim Acosta's press credentials, which were revoked after a heated exchange between Acosta and President Donald Trump at a White House press conference. CNN stated the revocation violates CNN's and Acosta's First Amendment freedom of the press and Fifth Amendment due process rights, and said it asked the court for an immediate restraining order to return the pass. The White House called the lawsuit 'more grandstanding from CNN' and said it will vigorously defend against it, asserting Acosta physically refused to surrender a microphone to a White House intern.
Stated objective. To have the press credentials of White House correspondent Jim Acosta restored, including an immediate restraining order requiring the pass to be returned to Jim and permanent relief as part of the process.
Source excerpt
CNN has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in an effort to have the press credentials of White House correspondent Jim Acosta restored.
Acosta had his credentials revoked last week following a heated exchange with President Donald Trump during a press conference at the White House.
The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acosta’s First Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their Fifth Amendment rights to due process,