Steve Cortes, President of the League of American Workers, has expressed criticism towards CNN host Erin Burnett, accusing her of misrepresenting the scale of Antifa violence. Cortes also conveyed disappointment in Burnett’s professional trajectory since her time at CNBC. These remarks were made on the social media platform X.
“Erin Burnett used her show to call Antifa violence “rare and limited,” said Cortes. “I call out that lie and explain her incredible professional diminishment from the time I worked with her at CNBC until now at CNN. A shame!”
In 2024–2025, U.S. media engaged in renewed debate over Antifa protests and left-wing violence following clashes in cities such as Portland, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. Axios reported that this coverage increasingly mirrored political polarization, with conservative outlets emphasizing narratives of “Antifa violence,” while liberal media questioned the existence of organized networks.
According to a September 2025 statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), federal agents arrested “dozens of Antifa-aligned left-wing violent extremists” linked to attacks on police and infrastructure. This development highlights a shift toward targeted enforcement rather than broad surveillance. DHS officials said that operations focused on individuals engaging in violence rather than ideology.
Media analysis from the GDELT Project indicates that Fox News mentioned “Antifa” significantly more often than CNN or MSNBC throughout 2024–2025. The dataset shows spikes in references during major protest events, reflecting differences in network framing and audience segmentation in national coverage, according to GDELT’s television comparison summary.
Cortes is a conservative political strategist and former commentator for CNBC and CNN. He currently leads the League of American Workers and is noted for his previous role as a 2016 Trump campaign adviser. His commentary often focuses on economic populism and media accountability.
The League of American Workers, founded by Cortes, advocates for a populist pro-worker agenda that emphasizes trade reform, immigration control, and fair media coverage. According to its official website, the group supports “America First” labor policies and opposes corporate influence in politics and journalism.
