Hegseth lashed out at the press to start the presser, singling out CNN and saying “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better!”:SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH: But some in this crew, in the press, just can’t stop. “Reports that the Trump administration underestimated the Iran War’s impact on the Strait of Hormuz.” Patently ridiculous, of course. The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better! A CNN spokesperson reached out to Mediaite following the presser to say, “We stand by our reporting.”As the presser wound down, CNN News Central co-anchor John Berman immediately noted the attacks on the press — without mentioning Ellison or CNN. New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting.

Source: CNN March 13, 2026 14:56 UTC