CNN went on an abrupt break Thursday night after network host Wolf Blitzer appeared to be physically distressed during an interview on his evening show, “The Situation Room.”
Network producers interrupted the 75-year-old as he spoke to Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to consider the case of former President Donald Trump and those trying to deny him ballot access in 2024.
At first, it seemed as if Blitzer had to work to catch his breath.
As Raskin spoke for several moments, the CNN anchor appeared to experience some sort of physical discomfort.
Seventy seconds after Blitzer first appeared in distress, his producers cut off Raskin and immediately moved into a pre-recorded network promo about a Jake Tapper special regarding former Vice President and presidential candidate John Edwards.
The promo was cut short when CNN's Paula Reed quickly took over the reins of the show.
“Wolf had to get away.” He watched Wolf Blitzer's face carefully. He was in some sort of physical distress while on live television, when suddenly CNN went to a commercial, then came back with another anchor. Blitzer has since posted: “I'm fine!” (Video: CNN) pic.twitter.com/OQm04Igioq
– Mike Sington (@MikeSington) February 9, 2024
“Wolf had to step down, and he will come back, but there is other news we are following here in the Situation Room,” she said before changing the subject to an interview Tucker Carlson conducted with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Blitzer later took to the social media platform X to tell his followers that he was fine, but did not explain what happened or why he was forced to leave the group.
“I'm fine! Thanks for the well wishes. I'll see you back in the operating room soon.”
I'm fine! Thanks for the good wishes. I will see you back in the operating room soon.
– Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) February 9, 2024
CNN has not issued a statement about the embarrassing moment or indicated whether Blitzer is dealing with any type of serious medical issue.
It was announced on Monday that the host had just returned to his show earlier this week after a period away.
Before that evening's show, the host shared a photo of himself behind his desk.
He added: “After a few days of vacation, it is good to be back today presenting news in the operating room.”
After a few days off, it's good to be back today delivering news in the operating room. pic.twitter.com/UU9nfsDX44
– Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) February 5, 2024
Blitzer has been with CNN since the early 1990s and has worked in media for 52 years.
According to the far-left network, before joining CNN 33 years ago, Blitzer previously worked as a correspondent in Israel for the Reuters news agency in Tel Aviv starting in 1972.
After that, he went to work for The Jerusalem Post as the agency's Washington, D.C., correspondent.
This article originally appeared in The Western Journal.
