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CNN is all over Twitter again on Wednesday and it once again has to do with a meme the President shared over the weekend.
"#CNNBlackmail" is the second-highest trending topic on the social media platform after the network did an investigative piece on the Reddit user who created the meme Donald Trump shared on Sunday, showing him body slamming CNN.
The network's KFile team tracked the GIF down to a user named "HanAssholeSolo," but decided against publishing his real name in their piece.
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Twitter Pile Drives Trump Over CNN Body-Slamming Meme: 'Juvenile,' 'Insane'
View Story"CNN is not publishing 'HanAssholeSolo's' name because he is a private citizen who has issued an extensive statement of apology, showed his remorse by saying he has taken down all his offending posts, and because he said he is not going to repeat this ugly behavior on social media again," KFile said of its decision. "In addition, he said his statement could serve as an example to others not to do the same. CNN reserves the right to publish his identity should any of that change."
To some, that statement was interpreted as a threat to expose the Reddit user if he does anything they don't agree with in the future, leading to the #CNNBlackmail hashtag.
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View StoryTake a look at some of the most popular tweets criticizing the network below, including a couple from Donald Trump Jr.:
If only @CNN spent as much time tracking down info on IRS targeting, Fast & Furious, Iran deal etc as they did a meme writer! #CNNBlackmail
@DonaldJTrumpJr
So I guess they weren't effective threatening the admin so they go after & bully a 15 y/o? Seems in line w their "standards" #CNNBlackmail https://t.co/u8YmNnLonj
@DonaldJTrumpJr
If #CNNBlackmail proves one thing it's: CNN is only capable of real investigative journalism when it's in their best interest to do so.
@RexTilllerson
CNN after seeing #CNNBlackmail is a top trend pic.twitter.com/Ty65XafXNr
@MarkDice
ISIS burns 12 people alive, NK launches ICBM, NYPD cop murdered...yet CNN focuses on how they chased down a meme-maker 🙄#CNNBlackmail
@kcmariner
CNN threatens to reveal identity of WWE gif author, but no problem publishing fake Trump/Russia articles with unnamed sources. #CNNBlackmail
@asamjulian
CNN won't release the name of those who leak National Security Secrets but will release name of kid who hurt their feelings. #CNNBlackmail
@reconmarine78
If CNN holds privacy in such low regard, how are their "anonymous sources" going to feel about leaking to them now? #CNNBlackmail
@RaheemKassam
CNN: Don't read Wikileaks, it's illegal.
@PrisonPlanet
Also CNN: Don't make fun of us or we'll come after you.
Sinister as hell.#CNNBlackmail
Senior editor and founding member of CNN's KFile Andrew Kaczynski spoke out against Donald Jr.'s tweets on Wednesday morning, accusing Trump of spreading false information.
Again. HanAssholeSolo is not 15 or anywhere close to it. This is POTUS' son spreading misinformation. pic.twitter.com/AB98NLn7nc
@KFILE
Kaczynski also claimed the line from KFile's piece about the identity of the Reddit user is being "misinterpreted."
This line is being misinterpreted. It was intended only to mean we made no agreement w/the man about his identity. https://t.co/9FL6EvTikx
@KFILE
FYI "HanAssholeSolo" just called me."I am in total agreement with your statement. I was not threatened in anyway." https://t.co/7se1B8Z29D
@KFILE
As for the user himself, he already posted a lengthy apology for what happened and deleted his account from Reddit.
Redditor HanAssholeSolo, the guy who posted the Trump/CNN clip the president tweeted, has apologized to @CNN, the media, and others pic.twitter.com/GlePoiSlFj
@Walldo
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