A Reddit user who created a meme which was later tweeted by President Trump has issued an apology statement that reads like the type of statement a hostage would make while being held captive by terrorists.
In order to coerce this apology and promise by the still anonymous Reddit user, CNN tracked down his real identity, including his name and possibly home address, and threatened to publicly release the user's personal information as retaliation for his meme creation. There is no evidence to suggest the Reddit user had any communication with the Trump campaign.
The CNN notice read as follows:
"CNN is not publishing “HanA**holeSolo’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. 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."
A rambling blog on Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/how-cnn-made-its-own-reporting-sound-like-blackmail-1796656983 ) attempted to defend the network's actions deflecting blame and diverting away from the actual message contained in the CNN statement, shifting to topics like editorial protocol and lawyers, removing all blame from the author himself.
In fairness, the author most likely did not write the blip about CNN's decision to refrain from its retaliatory measures due to the Reddit user apologizing and promising to never engage in such activities again, adding that the network reserves the right to renege on this decision at any point should the individual involved dare to cross them involved.
A major news outlet threatening a private citizen over a humorous meme that by happenstance was identified by the United States President and retweeted is unprecedented behavior, and seems to validate the many criticisms of CNN by President Trump and his supporters. That is not to mention independent observers such as myself who are not necessarily Trump supporters or political at all for that matter. While I can speak only for myself, I find the network's actions despicable.
For more on this story please see the following: http://peteregan.kinja.com/cnn-disgraces-itself-yet-again-1796706892 .