CNN host hit with swift lesson after attempting to downplay the supply chain crisis with mocking tweet

CNN's Brian Stelter received a swift lesson in supply chain function and self-awareness over the weekend after he attempted to downplay the seriousness of the supply chain crisis.

What is the background?

Supply chain issues have plagued the United States for months. Backlogged ports and trucker shortages have resulted in empty shelves and have contributed to rising prices of goods across the nation in most industries.

The Biden administration has blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for the problems. Republicans, meanwhile, are blaming President Joe Biden and his administration's policies for exacerbating existing problems.

What did Stelter say?

On Saturday, Stelter seemingly attempted to downplay the significance of the ongoing problem in a mocking tweet of a fake conversation and a photo of fully stocked milk shelves.

"'The supply chain!' she exclaims, looking for milk for 2-year-old," the tweet said. "'Look at this amazing, overflowing abundance,' he responds."

What was the response?

Stelter's mocking of the supply chain crisis triggered a raucous response.

Critics pointed out that dairy products like milk — and most food products, in fact — are not being impacted by the supply chain crisis because they are (mostly) domestically produced.

On the other hand, critics observed that Stelter's dismissive tone indicated how out of touch he is with average Americans. After all, for a man whose net worth is estimated to be as much as $10 million, why would he notice the impact of supply chain problems?

• "Very happy to see the overseas cargo ships with milk made it through," the Washington Examiner's Becket Adams mocked.
• "I don't know where in this area Stelter lives but my DC supermarket also hasn't experienced empty shelves during this round of supply chain issues. Except I happen to feel very fortunate over it, not glibly dismissive because I can't fathom that not everyone has my experience," Noam Blum said.
• "Just another elitist mocking the people who are paying more for basic supplies than they were a month ago. If you have plenty of expendable income, inflation doesn't matter. If you are living on a budget, every dollar counts," Daily Wire editor Ian Haworth pointed out.
• "Yes, keep mocking the very real concerns of working parents across the country because your Wegman's is well-stocked, Brian. Great job," another person said.
• "That the corporate press keeps reporting on inflation and supply chain issues as things that simply do not worry people like them is telling on themselves," journalist Drew Holden said.
• "That Wegman's, where last year you could buy a gallon of milk for $1.49," radio host Derek Hunter pointed out.
• "I was wondering if the pandemic and all the chaos associated with having so much of our production based overseas would force a reckoning among American elites. Because if that didn't do it, I don't know what will...," Zaid Jilani observed.
• "Work in international trade. Supply chain issues are very real. But you're talking about food, and the vast majority of food (esp dairy) in groceries comes from the US, where supply issues exist but are not nearly as prevalent," another person responded.
• "I work In the alarm industry. We can't get basic parts. My friend works as a mechanic. Same issue. I was on a job site yesterday talking to a HVAC guy. His industry is having the same issue. The supply chain issues are real. Get out of your bubble," another person said.

MSNBC senior correspondent Stephanie Ruhle claimed Americans need to put record-high inflation in "perspective." She essentially said Americans should stop complaining about rising prices because they have the money to cover the difference.