Karoline Leavitt Criticizes CNN's Cartel Interview as 'Despicable'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt strongly criticized CNN for airing an interview with a member of the Sinaloa drug cartel, calling the segment a 'softball interview' that gave an undue platform to a notorious criminal group. Leavitt argued that such coverage is 'despicable' and contributes to declining public trust in mainstream media. The CNN interview, conducted by Isobel Yeung, included questions about the cartel's terrorist designation and its violence, though critics felt the exchange was too lenient. Conservative commentators echoed Leavitt's concerns, accusing CNN of being overly sympathetic and normalizing cartel violence. While CNN's report aimed to provide insight into Mexico's drug trade, the backlash highlights deep divisions over journalistic responsibility in covering criminal organizations.