CNN’s Abby Phillip stunned viewers on Saturday when she openly criticized former President Barack Obama for refusing to credit President Donald Trump for brokering the historic peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
The exchange took place during CNN’s “Table for Five,” where Phillip discussed Obama’s recent post on X about the ceasefire agreement.
Obama had expressed relief that “an end to the conflict is within sight,” but notably left out any mention of Trump — the man responsible for negotiating the deal that ended years of bloodshed.
“Honestly, it’s not unfair to say, if President Obama is going to write a whole post about a peace deal, maybe he should acknowledge the president who brokered it,” Phillip said, breaking ranks with her usual liberal colleagues.
Her candid statement immediately drew attention online, with conservatives applauding her honesty and some CNN viewers even admitting it was “refreshing” to see a mainstream media figure speak truthfully about Trump’s accomplishments.
Phillip’s remarks came just two days after Obama’s post was widely criticized by Trump supporters, including Donald Trump Jr., who fired back on X with a short but powerful message: “I’ll finish it for you. ‘Thank you, Donald Trump.’”
The younger Trump’s post quickly went viral, echoing the sentiment of millions of Americans and Israelis who see Trump’s leadership as instrumental in achieving peace in the Middle East.
During the same CNN segment, Jamal Simmons, former communications director for Kamala Harris, surprisingly agreed with Phillip’s assessment. “If Donald Trump gets a peace deal, he deserves the credit,” Simmons said.
He later added that the next steps should involve “self-determination for the people who live in Gaza” and “more security for the people who live in Israel” — but the acknowledgment of Trump’s achievement was clear.
The peace deal, announced by Trump earlier in the week, guarantees the return of 48 hostages from Gaza, with 20 confirmed to be alive. The announcement brought relief to families and marked a major diplomatic victory for the Trump administration.This deal comes just over two years after Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took hundreds of hostages, an act that reignited deep divisions in the region.
While Obama chose to gloss over Trump’s role, ordinary citizens in Israel were far more generous with their gratitude. Over the weekend, hundreds of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv, waving American and Israeli flags, chanting “Thank you, Trump!”
Trump’s allies were quick to point out the double standard in how the media treats Obama compared to Trump. When Obama signed the Iran deal — a move that empowered Iran’s regime — the media hailed him as a diplomatic genius. But when Trump actually delivers peace, he’s ignored.
Phillip’s comment, however brief, broke through that wall of bias. By saying what many already knew, she legitimized what conservatives have been saying for years: Trump’s foreign policy record speaks for itself.
The peace agreement, described by political observers as “unthinkable just a few years ago,” is now being recognized by analysts worldwide as one of the greatest diplomatic feats in recent history.
Under Trump’s leadership, America brokered the Abraham Accords, restored alliances, and now helped end hostilities between Israel and Hamas — a goal no previous administration managed to achieve.
Yet, the Obama post revealed a continued unwillingness among Democrats to give Trump any credit, even when his policies save lives and bring stability.
What made Phillip’s statement stand out was that it came from CNN — a network long known for its adversarial coverage of Trump. It’s rare for anyone on that platform to acknowledge his achievements so plainly.
Social media erupted following the broadcast, with conservative influencers praising Phillip for “telling the truth for once.” Others joked that “hell must have frozen over” since CNN finally gave Trump credit.
Political strategist Steve Cortes weighed in on X, writing, “Abby Phillip said what every fair-minded person knows — Trump got it done. Peace through strength works.”