• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
LeadershipDonald Trump

Watch Jake Tapper Call Out President Trump on Leaks and Conspiracy Theories

By
Julia Zorthian
Julia Zorthian
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Julia Zorthian
Julia Zorthian
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 16, 2017, 10:29 AM ET

CNN’s Jake Tapper has a response to President Trump blaming “leaks” and “the fake media” for conspiracy theories that led to National Security Advisor Mike Flynn’s resignation: A video showing Trump’s own history with leaks and conspiracy theories.

After he asked for Flynn’s resignation on Monday, Trump claimed Wednesday that reports about Flynn lying to Vice President Mike Pence about conversations with Russian diplomats during President Obama’s term were part of conspiracy theories. Tapper retorted on CNN Wednesday that the reports were all well-sourced and confirmed, and explained what he said conspiracy theories actually are.

“They’re false, they’re crackpot, they’re nonsense,” Tapper said. “How do I illustrate what a conspiracy theory is?” He then played two clips: one of Trump claiming that Ted Cruz’s father was involved in John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and another where he said President Obama needed to prove he was born in the United States.

“Those are conspiracy theories,” Tapper said. He also discussed how, despite Trump’s speaking against “leaks” that led to him asking for Flynn’s resignation, his candidacy was buffered along by leaks aimed to expose Hillary Clinton.

Watch the full clip above.

About the Author
By Julia Zorthian
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Leadership

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Leadership

Fermi Inc. cofounders Toby Neugebauer, left, and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, right, mark their Nasdaq IPO in early October for their AI power company plans.
Energypower
Struggling AI power startup Fermi loses its CEO and CFO for ‘2.0’ reset
By Jordan BlumApril 20, 2026
1 hour ago
John Ternus stands in front of an Apple Store
Big TechApple
Meet John Ternus, the 51-year-old former swimming champ who will succeed Tim Cook as Apple CEO
By Dave Smith and Fortune EditorsApril 20, 2026
2 hours ago
Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down, and hardware boss John Ternus will be new CEO
Big TechApple
Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down, and hardware boss John Ternus will be new CEO
By Alexei OreskovicApril 20, 2026
2 hours ago
Ford CEO says Tesla doesn’t have an ‘updated vehicle,’ and now he’s pivoting to catch up with his real competitor: China’s BYD
North AmericaChina
Ford CEO says Tesla doesn’t have an ‘updated vehicle,’ and now he’s pivoting to catch up with his real competitor: China’s BYD
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezApril 20, 2026
5 hours ago
electrician
EconomyJobs
This talent CEO says laid-off tech workers are ignoring a $300K ‘white-collar trade job’ with 81K openings a year
By Jake AngeloApril 20, 2026
7 hours ago
Connie and Steve Ballmer pose and smile
Successphilanthropy
Billionaire Connie Ballmer just donated $80 million to support NPR after Trump cut $1.1 billion from public broadcasting
By Jacqueline MunisApril 20, 2026
7 hours ago

Most Popular

Thousands of CEOs admit AI had no impact on employment or productivity—and it has economists resurrecting a paradox from 40 years ago
AI
Thousands of CEOs admit AI had no impact on employment or productivity—and it has economists resurrecting a paradox from 40 years ago
By Sasha RogelbergApril 19, 2026
1 day ago
Markets shudder as Strait of Hormuz starts resembling a combat zone. 'We're prepared to subject you to disabling fire'
Energy
Markets shudder as Strait of Hormuz starts resembling a combat zone. 'We're prepared to subject you to disabling fire'
By Jason MaApril 19, 2026
24 hours ago
The explosion of U.S. debt is wiping out the 'safety premium' of Treasury bonds, and time is running out for an orderly fiscal solution, IMF warns
Economy
The explosion of U.S. debt is wiping out the 'safety premium' of Treasury bonds, and time is running out for an orderly fiscal solution, IMF warns
By Jason MaApril 19, 2026
1 day ago
Elon Musk bans résumés and cover letters in hiring for his chip team. These are the 3 bullet points he’s looking for instead
Future of Work
Elon Musk bans résumés and cover letters in hiring for his chip team. These are the 3 bullet points he’s looking for instead
By Jake AngeloApril 19, 2026
1 day ago
'We should absolutely be concerned about noncollege-educated men today': higher rents, living at home, falling out of the labor market
Economy
'We should absolutely be concerned about noncollege-educated men today': higher rents, living at home, falling out of the labor market
By Catherina GioinoApril 18, 2026
3 days ago
The director of the Congressional Budget Office—known for its gloomy national debt data—is very optimistic that a crisis will be avoided entirely
Economy
The director of the Congressional Budget Office—known for its gloomy national debt data—is very optimistic that a crisis will be avoided entirely
By Eleanor PringleApril 20, 2026
16 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.