CNN panelist and former comedian Michael Ian Black recently made a false claim about Donald Trump during the network’s new comedy show, Have I Got News for You. Black accused Trump of fabricating the name “Abdul” when referring to a Taliban leader, implying that Trump used it as a generic, possibly racist, name. During a presidential debate, Trump mentioned a Taliban leader, Abdul, when recounting a threat he made while in office. The media, including Black, took this as an opportunity to accuse Trump of inventing the name, painting it as another example of racial insensitivity. However, Trump was referencing Abdul Ghani Baradar, a real figure who served as the Taliban’s chief negotiator.

Black, during the CNN show, mocked Trump, saying, “He picked the most obvious name to make up as the head of the Taliban… Abdul.” CNN even highlighted Black’s joke on their website, fueling the narrative that Trump had used the name out of ignorance or racism.

Shortly after, Black was informed via X (formerly Twitter) that the name was not made up, as sources like ABC News had previously confirmed. To the surprise of many, Black admitted his error and issued an apology. However, in a move that raised eyebrows, he deleted the apology soon after, leaving many questioning CNN’s standards on correcting misinformation.

The incident echoes a larger trend in the media where initial false reports or jokes gain traction but corrections are often downplayed or erased. This controversy adds fuel to the ongoing debate about bias and accountability in news reporting, particularly when it comes to politically charged subjects like Trump. Critics argue that Black’s retraction being erased fits a pattern of avoiding journalistic responsibility. CNN’s decision to promote Black’s false claim and the subsequent deletion of his apology suggest that admitting errors may be less of a priority than protecting a particular narrative.