Karoline Leavitt goes off on CNN for emphasizing Iran war deaths 

One of President Trump’s favorite past times is bashing the media, and his White House keeps that tradition alive no matter the circumstances. See, for example, Karoline Leavitt tearing into CNN’s Kaitlin Collins after the host asked about Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth bashing the media for covering American deaths after the strikes on Iran.  

Now, I like to make fun of CNN as much as anybody else on the right. But here’s the thing. Americans are dying as a result of Trump’s decision to condone the Israeli attacks that killed Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei and decimated the leadership of the country. Iranians have fired missiles in response, as their terrorist proxies are expected to carry out attacks. And we are not going to ignore our dead because it’s inconvenient for the president. 

To Collins’s point, CNN has always covered American war deaths, and so have all other news networks. That’s because it’s important. Those deaths matter. They matter in their own right, and they should affect how we feel about this war effort — a war that was never voted on, nor even sold to the American people. We were simply informed it was happening after the fact. 

So yes, the media is going to ask the secretary of War to justify American soldiers losing their lives, no matter how annoying that might be. 

The lives of our servicemen and women matter. Take, for instance, Declan Coady, a 20-year-old member of the Army Reserves who was killed in Kuwait on Sunday.  

“Breaking Points” host Saagar Enjeti notes that Coady was “A 20 year old kid with his whole life ahead of him. Born 4/5 years after 9/11 and died fighting in another war in the Middle East.” 

He is not the first and he won’t be the last. Yes, sacrifices are made during war, and the brave men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedoms knew what they were signing up for. But we need to consider how many American lives we are willing to spend in pursuit of — what goal, precisely? Regime change? An end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions? Israel’s sense of security? What is it? 

The administration did not bother seeking our permission, or Congress’s permission, to take these steps. So you better bet that the White House is going to have to field questions about it. 

Robby Soave is co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising” and a senior editor for Reason Magazine. This column is an edited transcription of his daily commentary. 

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

More Opinions - Robby's Radar News

Paxton offers conditions for potential exit from Texas Senate race 

Noem replaced as DHS secretary with Oklahoma senator

Noem defends living on base in Coast Guard housing 

Judge orders Trump administration to close out goods without charging emergency ...

Watch live: Noem speaks moments after Trump ousts her from DHS

Johnson: ‘Everybody in America better watch’ how lawmakers vote on DHS ...

GOP's Turner rips Pentagon No. 3 at hearing: 'Really kind of gross'

Fox News poll: Majority says Trump’s handling of Iran has made US less safe

Live updates: Trump replaces Noem at DHS, taps Mullin for job; House set to ...

RFK Jr. puts Dunkin’ on notice; Massachusetts governor says ‘come and take ...

Noem faces GOP heat over $220M ad that boosted ‘your name recognition’

Ted Cruz, Tim Scott asking Treasury to approve $200B tax cut without ...

GOP anxieties rise in Texas after Talarico victory

Noem denies blocking investigations, as inspector general says he’s been ...

Senate Democrats block bill to fund DHS, spurning increased GOP pressure

In lead-up to Noem firing, Trump ‘never knew’ of blessing $220M ad campaign

Noem’s spending review has held up more than 1,000 FEMA contracts, grants and ...

Trump says he must be involved in selecting new Iran leader

© The Hill