CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour is facing widespread backlash after revealing she took heightened precautions before a recent trip to the United States, comparing her experience to preparing for a visit to North Korea.
During her podcast, Amanpour shared that, as a foreign national without U.S. citizenship or residency, she felt uneasy about crossing into the country and took steps such as using a burner phone and consulting with her network’s security team. Her concerns were based on reports of foreign nationals facing increased scrutiny at U.S. entry points.
Though her visit to Harvard University reportedly went smoothly, her remarks quickly drew sharp criticism online. Many social media users mocked the idea that traveling to the U.S. could be likened to entering a hostile state, pointing out that Amanpour has built a career covering actual war zones and authoritarian regimes.
Critics questioned the sincerity and relevance of her fears, while others accused her of exaggerating for effect. Supporters, however, defended her right to voice concerns about changing border practices and their impact on global perceptions.
The episode has since fueled a broader conversation about travel experiences under evolving immigration and security protocols in the United States.