President Donald Trump shocked observers on July 12, 2026, by appearing live on CNN to honor late Senator Lindsey Graham, before unexpectedly declaring his intention to guide the network toward a normal editorial path.
The unexpected call marked a dramatic temporary end to a multi-year boycott of the network by the former president, who has famously labeled CNN as fake news throughout his career.
Anchor Jake Tapper interviewed the president on State of the Union, initially focusing strictly on Graham’s political legacy and enduring influence in South Carolina politics.