President Donald Trump delivered one of the most talked-about moments of the weekend after a brief phone interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper ended with a remark that quickly spread across social media.
Trump appeared on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday to discuss the sudden passing of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Throughout the interview, the president kept the focus on Graham’s life and legacy, declining to pivot to other major news topics, including recent developments involving Iran.
As the conversation came to a close, Tapper asked whether Trump would be willing to return for a broader interview in the future.
“I know you don’t want to discuss other issues today out of respect for Lindsey Graham,” Tapper said. “But we’d love to have you back because I have a lot of other questions for you.”
Trump responded with a simple answer.
“Sure. We will do that.”
He then added a comment that immediately drew attention online.
“We’re trying to have CNN go on a normal path,” Trump said. “And we will do that.”
Tapper quickly replied, “Well, I’m on a normal path right here, sir. And I appreciate your time.”
Trump ended the exchange by responding, “Good. You are.”
WATCH:
NORMAL PATH🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Neo Jane (@Neo_Jane8) July 12, 2026
Jake Tapper: "I know you don't want to talk about any other issues out of respect for Lindsey Graham, but we would love to have you back sometime."
Don Trump: "We're trying to have CNN go on a normal path."
pic.twitter.com/f0wtBnsw1Q
Trump and CNN Continue Their Long-Running Feud
The brief back-and-forth quickly became one of the most widely shared clips from Sunday’s political news coverage.
Trump has frequently criticized CNN throughout both of his presidential terms, arguing that the network has treated him unfairly. CNN, meanwhile, has often featured tough interviews and critical coverage of the president’s policies and political decisions.
The exchange with Tapper highlighted the tense relationship that has existed between Trump and the network for years.
CNN’s Future Remains Under Scrutiny
The interview also comes during a period of uncertainty for CNN as the media industry continues to undergo major changes.
The Trump administration’s Department of Justice recently approved the merger involving Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance, fueling renewed speculation about CNN’s future leadership and editorial direction.
Some CNN employees and on-air personalities have publicly expressed concerns that the network could undergo significant changes under Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, who has been reported to maintain a cordial relationship with President Trump.
While no major editorial changes have been announced, the merger has prompted ongoing discussion about what the future could hold for one of America’s largest cable news organizations.
A Viral Closing Moment
Although the interview centered on the passing of Sen. Lindsey Graham, its final moments quickly became the biggest headline.
Trump’s closing remark about CNN generated widespread discussion across social media and political news outlets, once again demonstrating how even a brief exchange between the president and the media can dominate the news cycle.