Written by Michael Carter.

In a pointed exchange on Wednesday, Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., unleashed a bold critique of CNN’s declining influence, claiming that even reruns of children’s cartoons like SpongeBob SquarePants are drawing more viewers. Burchett’s remarks came during a heated conversation with CNN anchor Jim Acosta, who was pressing the congressman on former President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to pardon 1,500 January 6 prisoners during his second term.

While Acosta attempted to pivot the discussion toward Fox News, Burchett seized the moment to highlight what he described as CNN’s dwindling credibility. “Jim,” he quipped, “more people are watching the Cartoon Network and SpongeBob reruns right now than they are CNN.” The comment landed like a thunderclap, underscoring growing frustrations among conservative voices about media bias and sensationalism.

Acosta’s Counterattack Falls Flat

As the interview unfolded, Acosta attempted to defend CNN’s journalistic integrity, insisting, “This is not Fox, congressman. You can’t just spin a tale and pull the wool over people’s eyes. This is CNN. This is the news.” Yet Burchett remained unfazed, turning the spotlight on what he sees as the network’s misplaced priorities.

The congressman went on to share a sobering revelation: he’s faced life-threatening situations in recent weeks that, in his view, went largely unreported by mainstream outlets like CNN. “Jim, look, I left the White House during a riot. My life was threatened. My life has been threatened within the last few weeks, yet there’s no coverage of that,” Burchett said.

Instead, he accused CNN of continuing an obsessive narrative of attacking Trump. “You just can’t stand the fact that he won, that America spoke, and that your view is very diminished,” he added, delivering a scathing rebuke of the network’s editorial direction.

CNN’s Ratings in Freefall

Burchett’s jab about SpongeBob may sound exaggerated, but it’s not far from the truth. In the aftermath of the 2024 election, CNN’s viewership numbers were reportedly surpassed by unlikely competitors, including the Food Network and the Hallmark Channel. Fox News noted this stark reality in a December 2024 report, painting a grim picture for the once-dominant news organization.

Adding fuel to the fire, CNN announced plans to lay off hundreds of employees in a cost-cutting move reported by CNBC. The layoffs follow the network’s recent settlement of a multi-million-dollar defamation lawsuit filed by U.S. veteran Zachary Young, further tarnishing its reputation.

The Broader Implications

CNN’s struggles reflect more than just a ratings slump; they symbolize a growing distrust in mainstream media among certain segments of the American public. Conservative voices, like Burchett’s, argue that networks like CNN have alienated viewers by prioritizing partisan narratives over balanced reporting.

For Acosta, the interview highlighted the challenges of defending a brand that’s increasingly seen as out of touch. For Burchett, it was an opportunity to call attention to what he perceives as a widening gap between media elites and everyday Americans.

Our Take

CNN’s decline isn’t just about poor ratings; it’s a symptom of a larger problem in today’s media landscape. When news organizations prioritize sensationalism and political agendas over factual reporting, they erode public trust. This erosion has real consequences, driving audiences toward alternative sources—or even entertainment networks like Cartoon Network—for their “reality check.”

In a time when Americans are more divided than ever, the media has a responsibility to inform rather than inflame. CNN’s apparent inability to meet this standard isn’t just bad for their bottom line; it’s bad for the public at large. A healthy democracy depends on a well-informed citizenry, and it’s high time that major networks rise to the occasion.

OUCH. @TimBurchett absolutely bodies CNN’s Jim Acosta as the network losing to Spongebob reruns….

Acosta: “This is this is not Fox, congressman. You can’t just spin a tale and pull the wool over people’s eyes. This is CNN. This is the news. We are asking you to come on and… pic.twitter.com/AUfWPwPH49

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 22, 2025