Originally published at iBankCoin.com,



CNN is taking heat for threatening to publish the identity of a private citizen who posted a video lampooning the network.

Redditor 'HanAssholeSolo' is credited as the creator of a clip showing President Trump beating up a man with a CNN logo superimposed over his face, which the President then tweeted on Sunday morning.

In response, CNN and it's MSM brethren caught the vapors - with pundits accusing the President of inciting violence against journalists. CNN media reporter Brian Stelter tweeted this screed:

CNN statement responding to the president: "We will keep doing our jobs. He should start doing his." pic.twitter.com/Gn1YRA2DRG — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 2, 2017

While the White House has said the video didn't come from Reddit, CNN's Andrew Kaczynski went on a deep dive, uncovering now-deleted posts from 'HanAssholeSolo' which the network deemed offensive. CNN decided not to publish the the user's personal details, for now, because HanAssholeSolo has 'showed his remorse' for the 'offending posts' and 'ugly behavior' - effectively threatening to expose a private citizen if he doesn't stay in line.

Apology

HanAssholeSolo issued an apology on Reddit Tuesday, calling the video a "prank, nothing more."

“The meme was created purely as satire, it was not meant to be a call to violence against CNN or any other news affiliation... ...I had no idea anyone would take it and put sound to it and then have it put up on the President’s Twitter feed.”

Here's what people thought about that:

@CNN U basically coerce apology & threaten release of identity if something changes? Pretty sure a line is crossed here. #CNNBlackmail https://t.co/k4W9AepP6W — Scott Taylor (@Scotttaylorva) July 5, 2017

Meanwhile, CNN's Andrew Kaczynski has said that people are misinterpreting the article.

This line is being misinterpreted. It was intended only to mean we made no agreement w/the man about his identity. https://t.co/9FL6EvTikx — andrew kaczynski ???? (@KFILE) July 5, 2017

Sure Andrew... CNN isn't publishing his name "because he is a private citizen" who "showed remorse," yet you reserve the right to expose his identity if you don't like how he behaves in the future. Sounds like a threat.



How did they find him?



While CNN maintains they were able to link HanAssholeSolo's posts to his Facebook account, a 4chan user claiming to be a CNN insider, suggested that CNN obtained his IP address from his ISP and 'unmasked' him.

EPIC REACTIONS



CNN's latest blunder follows a devastating week for the network, whose last shred of credibility was destroyed in a blaze of glory by James O'Keefe last week. Reactions to the network's threat to expose (or 'Dox') Redditor HanAssholeSolo have been hilarious... you can see for yourself by searching the hashtag #CNNBlackMail on Twitter.

Donald's happy day #CNNBlackMail

Keep the tweets coming ???????????? pic.twitter.com/CJmkEFQsHO — Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) July 5, 2017

When Trump goes low CNN goes lower: threatens to dox artist behind "CNN head" video if he makes fun of them again https://t.co/Ka4R1fFEWa pic.twitter.com/82eWSmWtLf — Julian Assange (@JulianAssange) July 5, 2017

"Let's just publicly threaten to dox some redditor. There's no way this will backfire on us." #cnnblackmail pic.twitter.com/dvomyvgrc0 — Rokfrag Hümelsmitt (@RicinGravy) July 5, 2017

CNN after seeing #CNNBlackmail is a top trend pic.twitter.com/Ty65XafXNr — Mark Dice (@MarkDice) July 5, 2017

Current $TWC stock price is $101.38 which is a current spread of 6% to deal price.



If 4chan is successful against #CNN then discount goes???? https://t.co/uvw6vRuOHd — Ed (@DowdEdward) July 5, 2017

only wish CNN went after violent rioters and antifa looters the way they go after someone who made a comical GIF. — GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) July 5, 2017

Finally - 4chan has declared WAR

#CNNBlackmail

4chan has declared war upon CNN,and soon others will follow Operation:Autism Storm will be the beginning of the next Meme War pic.twitter.com/IwznqQz6Za — Dirt Man of Kekistan (@yahboiDirtMan) July 5, 2017

CNN may have triggered a war against Reddit, 4chan, and an army of hackers.

They have NO idea how ugly this could get. #CNNBlackMail — RockPrincess (@Rockprincess818) July 5, 2017

This should go well for CNN

In summary: