A lot is riding on the success of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s trip to Asia and CNN’s Jake Tapper thinks there is already a problem.

Tapper blasted President Donald Trump’s administration for its plan to send Tillerson on the trip without any reporters along in a tweet on Thursday.

Secretary of State Tillerson about to embark on first major trip to Asia in the midst of North Korean crisis.

Not bringing any reporters.

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 9, 2017

Apparently the CNN anchor thought it’s the media’s responsibility to make sure Tillerson’s every move is covered, especially if things don’t go well.

Not bringing press on a trip like that is unusual & insulting to any American who is looking for anything but a state-run version of events

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 9, 2017

Tillerson’s five-day visit later this month will include visits to Japan, China and South Korea.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to #Tokyo, #Seoul, & #Beijing on March 15-19: https://t.co/294K8m7TEs. pic.twitter.com/sJ6DM3UD7E

— Department of State (@StateDept) March 8, 2017

Tensions have been escalating in the region after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s controversial missile launches.

But Tapper’s mini-rant about the “unusual & insulting” decision to exclude the press will not likely change anything. Twitter users offered him a sober lesson in journalistic responsibility.

Wake up right! Receive our free morning news blast HERE

@jaketapper Tillerson doesn’t need to bring reporters. There are enough reporters around the world that every moment of his will be tracked and shared.

— Ari Herzog (@ariherzog) March 9, 2017

@jaketapper on the other hand… journalists traveling independently of WH press corps might get the better stories.

— escape whatever (@escwhatever) March 9, 2017

@jaketapper – perhaps once journalists make it about the story instead of their own views they will be invited to participate once again.

— Sharply Right (@SharplyRight) March 9, 2017

@jaketapper taking reporters is fine but that would leave you out

— Becky Allen (@rebeccasallen2) March 9, 2017

@jaketapper Says the pundit who idolized Obama for 8 years.

— Don Wallin (@don_wallin) March 9, 2017

Just do your fake news from office at CNN, Jake. @adudeinaplace2 @jaketapper

— GuitarAnthony (@GuitarAnthony) March 9, 2017

@jaketapper Maybe if the press had asked good Qs instead of bias, agenda driven, off topic questions, this wouldn’t be such an issue now.

— ?Code Red ?? (@dubstandardUSA) March 9, 2017

@jaketapper That’s cute, Jake. As if your network hasn’t been providing the state-run version of events for several years now.

— F and M (@TheProfounds) March 9, 2017

@jaketapper all you’ve been reporting for 8 yrs is the ‘state-run version of events’! are you for real right now?

— Lynette (@justnettie) March 9, 2017

Buy your own ticket and cover it. Jesus, y’all are the biggest babies. @jaketapper

— Lady Hecate (@Hecate40) March 9, 2017

@jaketapper Stop complaining and start doing a better job.

— Dustin (@dustin_temple10) March 9, 2017

• About
• Latest Posts

Frieda Powers

Senior Staff Writer
[email protected]

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

Latest posts by Frieda Powers (see all)

• A new low for fake news ‘scumballs’: Why the left is ‘TERRIFIED’ of Trump’s new State Dept. pick - December 30, 2025
• James Cameron calls Trump ‘most narcissistic a**hole’ since Nero in overdramatic rant - December 18, 2025
• 221 DEAD people received federal housing aid in Colorado— Trump admin. demands answers - December 18, 2025

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.