A CNN anchor described Iranians chanting “Death to America” in Tehran as friendly toward her, prompting sharp criticism over tone and framing.
At a Glance
- On June 24, Erin Burnett told Dana Bash that crowds chanting “Death to America” in Tehran were still “happy to speak to me.”
- Fox News anchor Bret Baier called the moment “the death‑to‑America friendliness” on Special Report.
- Critics labeled the juxtaposition bizarre and jarring, warning it downplayed a hostile political slogan.
- The chant originates from the 1979 Iranian revolution and Supreme Leader Khamenei has clarified it targets U.S. policy—not American individuals.
- The segment aired days after Operation Midnight Hammer, a U.S. airstrike on Iran’s nuclear sites on June 22.
Civility Meets Confrontation
Burnett described the scene: “they’re chanting ‘Death to America’…and they were happy to speak to me,” highlighting the clash between hostile slogans and personal warmth. Fox’s Bret Baier mocked the phrase on air, and social media critics quickly condemned the framing as tone-deaf and insensitive.
Watch a report: Exploring Iran’s “Death to America” Chant
Several analysts argue that calling the chant “friendly” risks minimizing its powerful geopolitical connotations.
Slogan Origins and Nuance
The chant was popularized during the 1979 Iranian revolution as a symbol of resistance to U.S. foreign policies. Supreme Leader Khamenei has stated that it expresses opposition to government actions and “arrogance,” not a literal call for violence against Americans. That nuance may explain why individuals chanting it could still speak courteously to a foreign correspondent.
The historical context is crucial to understanding how a group can display political hostility verbally while remaining polite individually.
Operation Midnight Hammer Context
Two days before Burnett’s segment, on June 22, the U.S. launched Operation Midnight Hammer, deploying B‑2 stealth bombers with bunker‑busting GBU‑57 bombs and Tomahawk missiles against Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. A report in the Washington Post described the strike as “precise and damaging,” but leaked Defense Intelligence Agency assessments warned it likely delayed clean-up, rather than eliminating the facilities.
Days later, Iran responded by launching missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, though no casualties occurred. These tense exchanges heightened international scrutiny and set the backdrop for Burnett’s on-location report.
Journalistic Framing in Global Coverage
Burnett’s “friendly chant” remark highlights the tightrope journalists walk: humanizing people without diluting the severity of their political statements. On-the-ground warmth may resonate emotionally, but critics argue it can distort audience perception when covering hostile state messaging—especially in volatile geopolitical environments.
