CNN, which had invested serious capital into the Trump-Russia collusion narrative over the past two years, accused Russia of celebrating the release of the Mueller report, claiming that while the Kremlin "has yet to respond to the conclusions from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation…the gloating has already begun in Moscow."
As evidence, CNN pointed to a tweet by Russian political talk show host Evgeny Popov, who tweeted Sunday that "in short, Russia did not elect Trump," and asked whether the investigation coming up empty would mean that the US would now be lifting its sanctions over Russian "election meddling."
For further proof, the network quoted Alexei Pushkov, an outspoken Russian senator known for his sharp commentaries on foreign affairs. In a rare English-language tweet, Pushkov wrote that the Trump-Russia investigation was "biased, artificial, provocative, conspiratorial," and designed to a) fuel hate toward Trump and b) "demonize Russia."
It was clear even BEFORE the Mueller report. From the very start it was a biased, artificial, provocative, conspiratorial, designed-to-fuel-hatred towards Trump campaign. Its second goal was to demonize Russia and prevent any US moves towards better relations with Moscow. https://t.co/88HqkQg6K9
— Алексей Пушков (@Alexey_Pushkov) 24 марта 2019 г.
"The conclusions of the Mueller investigation are a disgrace for the United States and its political elite. It has been confirmed that all the charges were made up out of thin air. The media played a shameful role of being instigators of a campaign based on lies. Adherents of conspiracy theories have been discredited. From now on, only an idiot will believe them," Pushkov wrote in a separate tweet in Russian.
Thankfully, in CNN's view anyway, "relations between the United States and Russia are likely to remain abysmal." Citing a long-list of problems in Russia-US relations, the network noted with satisfaction that "a bipartisan consensus in Washington that sees Russia as a bad actor still remains, it seems."
Social media didn't let the network off the hook so easily online, however, with Twitter users posting a series of meme-laden messages urging the network to "get some help" over its Russia obsession and accusing the network of singlehandedly boosting Trump's chances for reelection in 2020.
Gloating? The truth hurts #MSM
— Arby1 🗽 (@Arby0ne) 25 марта 2019 г.
You made it easy for them by promoting a conspiracy theory.
— Subtle Genius 🔺 (@2018Winning) 25 марта 2019 г.
They’re not gloating, they’re laughing at us. Thanks CNN and Dems.
— Potato.illogic (@potatoillogic) 25 марта 2019 г.
— ❌ RIGGED.IT ❌⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Rigged_It) 25 марта 2019 г.
Congratulations to Russia-obsessed Democrats for being the single-most valuable contributors to the Donald J. Trump 2020 re-election campaign! pic.twitter.com/LZyWBXDVta
— USA_Loyal (@Tales_Whales) 24 марта 2019 г.
— Richard Doherty (@Richard24076324) 25 марта 2019 г.
The report is a devastating rebuke to CNN, who insisted Trump’s guilt was guaranteed. CNN’s legacy is that they ruined their own credibility.
— Jason Voelker (@JasonVoelker1) 25 марта 2019 г.
— Richie Dagger (@CircleOne38) 25 марта 2019 г.
