CNN said that it deleted a social media post that came across as downplaying what authorities believe was an attempted terror attack at a protest outside the home of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The network said in a statement on X, “A post regarding the two individuals arrested for throwing homemade bombs outside of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home failed to reflect the gravity of the incident thereby breaching the editorial standards we require for all our reporting. It has therefore been deleted.”
On Monday, two men, Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were charged after they tried to detonate explosive devices near Gracie Mansion, where an anti-Islam protest and counter protest were taking place on Saturday. Federal authorities said that they twp suspects said that they were “aligned with ISIS” after their arrest. They face charges of attempted provision of material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
The original CNN post on X read, “Two Pennsylvania teenagers crossed into New York City Saturday morning for what could’ve been a normal day enjoying the city during abnormally warm weather. But in less than an hour, their lives would drastically change as the pair would be arrested for throwing homemade bombs during an anti-Muslim protest outside of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home. Here’s what we know so far.” The post then linked to the CNN story. The CNN post drew a backlash, leading to the network’s explanation on Tuesday.