CNN Goofs Up Over Raj Shah, Once Again

White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah and the CNN television channel are in the news once again over his name. After running a picture of Obama administration appointee Rajiv Shah instead of him last month on the channel, CNN again goofed up by failing to call the Indian American political aide by his proper name.

Anchor Chris Cuomo referred to the political appointee of the Donald Trump administration as “Raj whatever his name is” on a show on Jan. 15 , the Washington Examiner reported. The gaffe happened while Cuomo was mediating a discussion on the channel on Trump’s controversial remark calling African and some other nations as “sh–hole countries.”

Responding to the program, Shah tweeted that night: “@ChrisCuomo and CNN viewers, it’s Raj Shah.”

.@ChrisCuomo and CNN viewers, it’s Raj Shah https://t.co/4kmYYrsHPX via @dailycaller

— Raj Shah (@RajShah45) January 15, 2018

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders saw red, and pointed out the gaffe made by the channel last month as well. “Last month @CNN put up the wrong picture for WH Principal Deputy Press Secretary @RajShah45 & now they refer to him on air as ‘Raj whatever his name is.’ #ThisIsCNN,” Sanders tweeted.

Last month @CNN put up the wrong picture for WH Principal Deputy Press Secretary @RajShah45 & now they refer to him on air as “Raj whatever his name is.” #ThisIsCNN https://t.co/PnkYDqoCpP

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 15, 2018

Cuomo is said to have commented: “We went to the White House when it happened and Raj whatever-his-name-is didn’t back off the words.”

Later, Cuomo referred to Shah as just “Raj” and apologized on Twitter.

Sorry for the mistake, Raj. Won’t happen again. Please know that you are welcome to come on the show anytime. https://t.co/kw669MfP0a

— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) January 15, 2018

He also apologized on air late Jan. 15 night. “Why do I say his name slowly like that? Because another part of the distraction here is I forgot Raj’s last name this morning. I apologize for that. And then there wound up being a counternarrative: ‘Well, that makes you racist’.” he said on air, referring to the reactions he was getting.

Sanders swiftly responded to Cuomo’s apology. “Classy of @ChrisCuomo to do this, but be careful what you wish for @RajShah45 is tough!,” she tweeted, referring to his invitation to Shah to come on the show.

Classy of @ChrisCuomo to do this, but be careful what you wish for @RajShah45 is tough! 😀

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 15, 2018

Trump’s own comments have been subject of heated debate, with the U.S President denying he called the countries “s–thole.” Shah released a statement, saying: “Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people.”

He further said: “The president will only accept an immigration deal that adequately addresses the visa lottery system and chain migration — two programs that hurt our economy and allow terrorists into our country. Like other nations that have merit-based immigration, President Trump is fighting for permanent solutions that make our country stronger by welcoming those who can contribute to our society, grow our economy and assimilate into our great nation.”