CNN is facing sharp backlash after airing an interview with a member of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, during which the cartel figure responded to President Donald Trump’s designation of drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The masked cartel member offered “respect” for Trump and blamed the U.S. drug market for fueling cartel activity.
The segment, led by CNN’s Isobel Yeung, featured the reporter asking the cartel member, “According to the Trump Administration, you are a terrorist… What do you make of that?” The man, whose identity was concealed, responded, “Well, the situation is ugly. But we have to eat.”
When asked what he would say to Trump directly, the man said, “My respect. According to him, he’s looking out for his people. But the problem is the consumers are [in the United States]. If there weren’t any consumers, we would stop.”
President Trump has consistently called for aggressive action against Mexican cartels, including their designation as foreign terrorist organizations, arguing they are responsible for surging fentanyl deaths and border violence. The interview triggered a swift and critical response from conservatives.
Mike Cernovich accused CNN of cartel propaganda, writing, “If you wondered what the banality of evil would look like in 2025, it’s CNN.” Libs of TikTok called the segment “UNREAL,” while the Media Research Center questioned CNN’s motives: “Why is CNN trying to humanize foreign terrorists?”
Critics argue that giving air time to cartel operatives without clear condemnation normalizes groups involved in deadly drug trafficking and cross-border violence. The interview comes as Trump continues to press for stronger border enforcement and anti-cartel measures.
