When it comes to political smear campaigns, you’d think news outlets would at least try to cover their tracks. But in a bizarre twist, CNN managed to debunk its own hit piece on J.D. Vance, and we’re here for every cringey detail.
So, what went down? Let’s break it all down like a Netflix series recap—minus the spoilers.
AppHarvest: The “Green Thumb” Startup
Picture it: a startup with a mission to revolutionize farming in Eastern Kentucky using cutting-edge tech and creating thousands of jobs. That’s what AppHarvest promised. And J.D. Vance, ever the champion of American innovation, jumped on board as an early investor and board member. It was all about sustainability, economic uplift, and all those buzzwords that make investors feel warm and fuzzy inside.
J.D. Vance’s Role: Planting Seeds of Success
Back in the day, Vance wasn’t just some silent partner counting his shares; he was actively promoting AppHarvest as a game-changer for rural America. He was all in, hyping it up as the next big thing in American entrepreneurship. But in April 2021, he stepped away from the company’s board to start his political career—before things started going haywire.
The CNN Hit Piece: A Misfire
Fast forward to this week, CNN drops what they probably thought was a bombshell article, attempting to smear Vance by tying him to the struggles of AppHarvest. But here’s where things get really awkward: CNN’s own reporting admits that Vance had nothing to do with the company’s eventual downfall. Oops.
The Downfall of AppHarvest: Not Vance’s Problem
Here’s the tea—AppHarvest started facing some serious issues months after Vance was long gone. We’re talking allegations of unsafe working conditions (think greenhouse nightmares) and financial chaos that ended in bankruptcy. But crucially, CNN’s article itself points out that none of this went down on Vance’s watch. The lawsuits? His name’s nowhere near them.
CNN’s Self-Sabotage: A Lesson in Unintentional Honesty
In a move that’s almost comical, CNN quotes a senior manager from AppHarvest who straight-up says the allegations had nothing to do with anything discussed during Vance’s time on the board. You can almost hear the sound of their narrative crumbling like a Jenga tower.
The Aftermath: Oops, They Did It Again
So, instead of landing a political jab, CNN accidentally cleared Vance’s name. The attempt to link him to AppHarvest’s failures fell flat, revealing the story for what it was—a transparent attempt to smear a political opponent that fell apart under the weight of its own facts.
The Moral of the Story?
When crafting a hit piece, maybe don’t include details that completely disprove your own argument. Just a thought
