Trump Rewards Obedient CBS News
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It appears the taming of the Tiffany Network has officially paid dividends.
After a noticeable shift to the right—marked by a new "MAGA-curious" leadership strategy and reports of the network spiking stories critical of the Trump administration—the White House seems to have handed CBS News a massive reward: the exclusive scoop on the U.S. military attack on Venezuela.
The timing suggests this was no lucky break. It looks like a "thank you" note from the White House to a network that has fallen in line.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, while other outlets were in the dark, CBS News broke the story that the Trump administration had launched bomb strikes on Caracas. The network was granted the ability to report the developments hours before any official statement was made.
This exclusive access comes on the heels of internal alarms raised by staffers regarding the network’s realignment. Under new, Trump-aligned ownership, the network has faced criticism for softening its tone and reportedly killing reports that would have painted the administration in a negative light. Just hours before the attack, the network had broadcast a segment declaring, "We love America," and labeling the U.S. "the last best hope on Earth"—messaging that aligns perfectly with the current administration's rhetoric.
The timeline of the scoop underscores the privileged status CBS now seemingly enjoys:
2:05 a.m. ET: CBS News’ senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs posted that administration officials were aware of explosions in Caracas.
2:31 a.m. ET: Jacobs and National Security Editor Jim LaPorta cited U.S. officials to confirm that Donald Trump had ordered the strikes.
The Live Blog: Around the same time, CBS launched a live blog and a special report, framing the narrative exactly as a White House-directed operation.
4:00 a.m. ET: It wasn't until nearly two hours later that Trump officially confirmed the attack on Truth Social.
For a network that has spent recent months realigning its posture to delight Trump-world and burying critical journalism, the message from the White House is clear: loyalty gets you access.
Fox News has to be pissed.
