CNN spokesman fires back at Hannity over guest’s comments: ‘This is rich’

A CNN spokesman hit back Wednesday at Fox News host Sean Hannity for suggesting a CNN guest’s comments about a fatal train crash earlier in the day reflected the network’s views.

“Coming from a network that paid (and was run by) ‘alleged’ sexual predators, this is rich,” Matt Dornic, vice president of communications for CNN, tweeted at Hannity, referencing Roger Ailes, Bill O’Reilly and other Fox News employees who have been accused of sexual misconduct.

Coming from a network that paid (and was run by) “alleged” sexual predators, this is rich. And from a guy who invited O’Reilly on his show after he was fired from the network following claims of sexual misconduct…even richer.

— Matt Dornic (@mdornic) January 31, 2018

The response stemmed from comments by Jonathan Tasini, who appears occasionally on CNN but is not paid by the network. 

Tasini tweeted that in light of the train crash involving GOP lawmakers and Rep. Trey Gowdy’s (R-S.C.) decision not to seek reelection, “God is working hard today to clean up the stink.”

One person died when a train carrying Republican representatives to a retreat struck a garbage truck. No lawmakers were seriously injured.

Hannity’s website published a story on Tasini’s comments a short time later with the headline “This Is CNN,” which identified Tasini as a “CNN regular and liberal author.” Hannity then shared the story on his Twitter page. 

Tasini later deleted the original tweet and issued an apology. 

“Let me save you time. I don’t work for CNN. They don’t pay me. They can’t fire me. I apologize nonetheless,” Tasini tweeted.

Let me save you time. I don’t work for CNN. They don’t pay me. They can’t fire me. I apologized nonetheless.

— Jonathan Tasini (@jonathantasini) January 31, 2018