
'You Witnessed My Rage': CNN's Sara Sidner Opens Up About Crying On Air, But The Reactions Are Nothing But Support

Jan. 13 2021, Published 12:35 p.m. ET
CNN correspondent Sara Sidner addressed her recent breakdown on air, in which she was brought to tears following months of covering COVID-19 grief firsthand and meeting the families who lost their loved ones. However, she received nothing but support following the emotional moment.
"Not my proudest moment as a reporter. But I could not hold this back," she wrote via Twitter after her tearful report on Tuesday, January 12.
Not my proudest moment as a reporter. But I could not hold this back. https://t.co/ynhS4ovsYd
— Sara Sidner (@sarasidnerCNN) January 12, 2021
Sidner also shared a statement to explain why she broke down the following day. "I can't tell you what a hard slap in the face it is to constantly experience two distinctly different worlds in one beautiful but imperfect America: One based on reality, the other on conspiracy and tribalism," she wrote.
"So when you saw me cry, you witnessed my rage. I care about my country," the correspondent added. "I worry about the new and old ills facing us. And I feel like my country is on life support."
After reporting from 10 different hospitals during the pandemic, Sidner choked up, as she noted the communities of color are being hit especially hard. "They are taking the brunt of this, and many of those people are the people that we rely on to live our daily lives," Sidner told New Day anchor Alisyn Camerota.
"It's just not OK. It's not OK what we're doing to each other," Sidner tearfully continued while begging viewers to do their part in stopping the spread of the deadly virus.
"To see the way that these families have to live after this and the heartache that goes so far and so wide, it's really hard to take," she added before apologizing for her tears. "These families should not be going through this. No family should be going through this."
The video clearly impacted everyone, including celebrities, who thanked Sidner for her raw message to U.S. citizens.
Scroll through to see how Twitter users reacted to Sidner's emotional report.
Wow. Please everyone take a minute to watch this. And PLEASE do your part to keep your family safe and those around you safe from this virus. I know it’s been a long and very tough time, but we all need to come together now more than ever. https://t.co/ndm56JqNiR
— Jenna Dewan (@jennadewan) January 12, 2021
Lord. Heartbreaking report. Heartbreaking. Thank you @sarasidner for your truth-telling and your compassion and the unblinking courage it takes to stand in the presence of this horrific situation and report it to us. https://t.co/unRqvnWroq
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) January 12, 2021
Thank you, Sara Sidner, for doing the difficult work of reporting on this. https://t.co/PH6CYdaZYH
— Morgan Jerkins (@MorganJerkins) January 12, 2021
Sobering—CNN reporter @sarasidnerCNN crying on air after seeing devastation at California 10 hospitals full of #COVID19 patients and witnessing countless parking lot funerals. This reporter has been to war zones & covered bombings. But COVID is next level. pic.twitter.com/yXEFikXUzc
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) January 12, 2021
Thank you to the journalists giving voice to the millions of families and frontline workers who have been affected by the pandemic. Their grief is a constant, piercing reminder of the urgency of slowing transmission and regaining control. https://t.co/nDHKXf9lJH
— Caitlin Rivers, PhD (@cmyeaton) January 12, 2021
CNN's Sara Sidner is all of us right now 😭😭😭
— Eddierocksteady (@eddiedreamer) January 12, 2021
Seeing a reporter break down in tears on live TV after witnessing & airing such heartbreaking stories should let everyone know how serious this pandemic is.
Wow, just watch CNN reporter Sara Sidner break down on live tv reporting on the coronavirus in LA. Can’t imagine what it’s like witnessing all this unnecessary devastation and heartbreak and having to report on it every fucking day. We need to do better. This is so awful.
— Sara (@therealsaraatai) January 12, 2021
Sara Sidner breaking down in her segment covering the covid surge in LA just punched me in the chest. We’re all living through so much trauma right now. This shouldn’t be accepted as normal. None of this.
— Comrade Camille (@Ami369) January 12, 2021
This @cnn reporter Sara Sidner is just outstanding.
— L. Lord (@lclord76) January 12, 2021
What a way to bring it home with her heartfelt emotions right now on @NewDayCNN .
Thank you @sarasidnerCNN for your brave and continued reporting on Covid.
Shame on all in the US who refuse to follow the rules.
It’s impossible for journalists to not feel the emotion of the devastating stories we often cover. Much respect to Sara and the many other journalists who’ve endured over the last year to keep us all informed. pic.twitter.com/XJXQKUDnFd
— Andrew John (@Andrew_L_John) January 12, 2021