Reporter Kristen Holmes shows clear frustration as White House leaf blower interrupts live broadcast: ‘It’s overwhelming for me’

Live Broadcast Interrupted by Leaf Blowers at the White House

A live broadcast by a CNN correspondent from the White House turned chaotic on Wednesday when workers began using leaf blowers just behind her.

Kristen Holmes, a senior White House correspondent, was in the middle of discussing a newly announced drug deal when the noise from the leaf blowers made it difficult to hear her. She apologized to anchor Erica Hill, admitting, “I’m sorry, but I’m sure you’ll hear it because it’s deafening.”

Holmes continued her report despite the interruption, noting, “Someone was working in the White House right behind me, and they chose this exact moment that I’m going to tell you. So I hope you can hear me without me screaming.” After about two minutes, the noise finally subsided.

The White House grounds are maintained year-round by a team responsible for the South Lawn, Rose Garden, and surrounding areas. When questioned about the disruption, the White House press secretary insisted it was unintentional.

“Federal government operations staff are working without pay thanks to the Democratic shutdown, but they are working hard to keep People’s Hall safe and beautiful for the American people, not fake news!” Press Secretary Davis Ingle stated to the Post.

One viewer shared their experience online, saying, “When I turned on CNN, I happened to stop channel surfing and heard the loud sound of the White House lawn service blowing leaves right behind a CNN correspondent trying to report.”

Meanwhile, it was reported that grounds workers continued their maintenance well into the afternoon.

On the same day, CNN decided not to broadcast President Trump’s address on the economy live, which upset the White House. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt remarked on X that the network didn’t want viewers to hear Trump’s “pro-growth, America-first economic vision.”

CNN opted instead to air regular programming during the speech, later sharing snippets on its website. The network has not immediately responded to Levitt’s remarks.

This incident is just the latest in the ongoing tension between Trump and CNN, which has seen its share of confrontations since his presidency began. Notably, in November 2018, CNN’s Jim Acosta was banned from a White House press conference following a heated exchange with Trump, a claim both Acosta and the network disputed.

Throughout his time in office, Trump consistently referred to CNN as “fake news” and labeled it the “enemy of the people,” often clashing with its reporters.