Inside truth behind CNN’s ‘Pornhub’ viral US election video

A CNN host reporting election results looks guilty as hell as the Pornhub logo appears on his touch screen – so what really happened?

Deepfakes have claimed yet another victim. Early on Friday, a video purporting to show a Pornhub pop-up on CNN’s “Magic Wall” went viral on Twitter, and anxious viewers happily took the opportunity to troll anchor John King.

While the video was quickly debunked – the Pornhub banner was clearly added to the live footage after the fact – users appeared delighted by the flub, fake or not. As one particularly excited viewer put it, “It is the highlight of the election.” High praise!

In the now-viral video, which was shared without sound, CNN anchors Wolf Blitzer and John King discuss new votes counted in Pennsylvania, a key battleground in the presidential election. When the camera cuts to King in front of the Magic Wall, a Pornhub banner can be seen at the top-right of the screen, and he quickly flicks it away and shoots a knowing glance at a producer off screen:

Did CNN really flash Pornhub on the screen?

His expression certainly matched.

As if to cleanse himself from the porny-ness of it all, King then appears to wipe his hand on his jacket before proceeding with his electoral college spiel.

The video immediately began to circulate on Twitter, where it has now been viewed millions of times. “If you’ve had an election for more than 3 days seek medical help,” joked one commenter. “CNN is having the time of their lives, streaming Pornhub between the election analysis,” said another.

If you've had an election for more than 3 days seek medical help.

— Michael Gillett | #WIMVP (@MichaelGillett) November 6, 2020

This election getting so stressful, CNN starting watching pornhub... 😂😂😂 #Election2020 pic.twitter.com/CP1lGjfaNx

— Zinfamous (@ZinfamousHD) November 6, 2020

CNN had pornhub open. LMAO.. America is a very weird place. You cant make this shit up.

pic.twitter.com/7q5vofWdBR

— AFC Bob (@Starmas_) November 6, 2020

CNN having the time of their lives, streaming PornHub between the election analysis. #ElectionResults2020 pic.twitter.com/tacDCYE42r

— Frank De Law (@delawfrank) November 6, 2020

However, savvy users quickly noted that the video was fake, and many shared the real, unedited clip from the live segment, in which King flicks away a phone notification that pops up onscreen.

This is the original video from CNN on which was edited the Pornhub fake pic.twitter.com/bcyMwZfYPU

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) November 6, 2020

Real or fake, the CNN Pornhub video provided a much-needed distraction for viewers desperate for news – any news! – about the election. Perhaps Insecure star and writer Natasha Rothwell put it best: “The pornhub CNN video is fake but it will live on as truth in my heart.” Preach.

The pornhub CNN video is fake but it will live on as truth in my heart. https://t.co/D3iTB6jui0

— Natasha Rothwell (@natasharothwell) November 6, 2020

This article originally appeared on Decider and was reproduced with permission