During a segment on CNN's comedy show "Have I Got News for You," comedian Michael Ian Black misstated that former President Donald Trump invented a name for the Taliban leader, a claim he later retracted, Breitbart reported.

In a recent broadcast of CNN’s newly launched comedy program, "Have I Got News for You," Michael Ian Black made a controversial comment about Donald Trump’s reference to a Taliban leader during a presidential debate. Black suggested that Trump had fabricated the name "Abdul" to describe the leader, which he later learned was incorrect.

The person Trump had mentioned was Abdul Ghani Baradar, also known as Mullah Baradar, the Taliban's chief negotiator. Trump’s reference came under scrutiny, with some media outlets and critics quickly branding it as a racially charged fabrication.

Media Response and Public Reaction to Trump's Comments

Following the debate, several reports emerged accusing Trump of using a generic name, "Abdul," which they claimed evidenced racial insensitivity. However, ABC News later confirmed that Trump had indeed spoken with Abdul Ghani Baradar for 35 minutes, debunking the claim that the name was made up.

CNN highlighted this error on their website after the debate, noting the inaccuracy in Black’s claims on their comedy show. This episode marked a significant blunder in the network's coverage of the former president.

The revelation came to Black's attention via a tweet that linked to the ABC News article, leading him to realize his mistake.

Apology Issued and Subsequently Deleted

Responding to the new information, Michael Ian Black took to Xwitter to issue an apology for his incorrect statements. His post acknowledged the error, stating, “He’s such a hack, like, he picked the most obvious name to make up as the head of the Taliban. Abdul.” This quote was what Black had originally said on the show.

However, shortly after posting his apology, Black deleted the tweet. No explanation was given for the removal, and CNN has not commented on the deletion of the apology.

This sequence of events has stirred discussions on the credibility of media figures and the rapid spread of misinformation, even on platforms meant for humor.

Scrutiny and Discussion Following the Incident

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of public figures in media, particularly in how they address and correct misinformation. It highlights the challenges faced in the intersection of comedy and news.

Critics argue that even in a comedic context, accuracy is paramount, especially when discussing political figures and global issues. The deletion of the apology has only added to the controversy, raising questions about the intentions behind retracting a public acknowledgment of a mistake.

The discussion continues as both the public and media analysts await further clarifications from Black and CNN regarding the future handling of such errors.