CNN host Abby Phillip issued a public correction after comments she made on-air about a recent terror-related incident in New York City drew widespread attention and criticism online, as reported [1] by the Gateway Pundit.
The controversy followed an attempted attack that took place last weekend outside the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
According to reports cited by The Gateway Pundit and the New York Times, two male suspects described as Islamist terrorists linked to ISIS threw a homemade bomb during an anti-Islam protest that had gathered outside the mayor’s residence.
CNN’s Abby Phillip claims that the attempted NYC bombing was “an attempted terror attack against New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.”
The suspects were two Muslim terrorists who pledged allegiance to ISIS and were targeting anti-Islam protesters. pic.twitter.com/xtGIirLPb3 [2]
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 11, 2026 [3]
Authorities said the device contained metal fragments and explosive material. The bomb was thrown toward a crowd of protesters attending the demonstration. No injuries were reported in the incident.
During the arrest of the suspects, one of the men reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar!”
The attempted attack quickly became a topic of political debate online and among public officials. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) responded to the incident with a comment posted on X that generated significant backlash.
“Muslims don’t belong in American society,” Ogles wrote. “Pluralism is a lie.”
The remark came less than a month after Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) made comments online directed at a Muslim activist who had advocated banning dogs as indoor pets.
“If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one,” Fine wrote.
Phillip referenced both lawmakers during a segment discussing the incident. During her remarks, she suggested that the attack had targeted Mayor Mamdani directly while criticizing the comments made by the two Republican lawmakers.
“Two Republicans say Muslims don’t belong here after an attempted terror attack on New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani. And the House Speaker, Mike Johnson, says nothing to really condemn these comments,” Phillip said.
The statement quickly circulated on social media, where critics argued that Phillip had mischaracterized the circumstances of the attack.
Following the backlash, Phillip posted a message on X addressing the wording she had used during the broadcast and clarifying the details of the incident.
“I want to correct something I said last night,” Phillip wrote. “The bombs thrown in New York City over the weekend by ISIS-inspired attackers was thrown into a crowd of anti-Muslim protestors and not specifically targeted at Mayor Mamdani.”
“That wording was inaccurate, and I didn’t catch it ahead of time. I apologize for the error.”
I want to correct something I said last night. The bombs thrown in New York City over the weekend by ISIS inspired attackers was thrown into a crowd of anti-Muslim protestors and not specifically targeted at Mayor Mamdani. That wording was inaccurate and I didn’t catch it ahead…
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) March 11, 2026 [4]
Phillip described the issue as an error in wording rather than an intentional misstatement.
The correction did little to quiet criticism from some social media users, who continued to debate the comments and the broader political reaction to the attempted attack.
No, Abby, you didn’t misreport it, you deliberately twisted the facts on purpose. You’re nothing but a shameless political hack, with your head buried so deep in the anti-American echo chamber that it’s downright nauseating. If CNN has any shot at survival in this era of…
— I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) March 11, 2026 [5]
If you have an ounce of integrity left, you would go on air and correct it
Let’s see what happens
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 11, 2026 [6]
You did a racism. You did an imperialism. You did a nationalism. You did a xenophobia. You did a white fragility. You did a weak apology. You did no growth. This makes it abundantly clear you don’t understand the intersectional nature of the multiplicity of your offenses.
— Jarvis (@jarvis_best) March 11, 2026 [7]
Hi @abbydphillip [8]. This correction is once again, inaccurate. The bomb was thrown indiscriminately into a crowd of civilians—the terrorist said himself he wanted to kill a lot more people than the Boston massacre bomber. Will there be an actual accurate correction on-air?
— Tali Goldsheft (@TaliGoldsheft) March 11, 2026 [9]
You blatantly lied on purpose. Or you’re just completely incompetent. Which is it?
— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) March 11, 2026 [10]
The incident in New York City remains under investigation as authorities continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the bomb that was thrown into the crowd during the protest.
Officials have not reported any injuries from the attack, though the event has fueled ongoing debate about political rhetoric, public safety, and media coverage following the incident.