CBS News was compelled to issue a humiliating correction on Wednesday after an erroneous social media post concerning the United Kingdom's monarch, King Charles III. The original post on platform X incorrectly identified the current sovereign as King Charles II, a ruler who lived and died over three centuries ago.
Social Media Blunder Sparks Widespread Ridicule
The mistaken post remained live for several hours, allowing ample time for users to express both confusion and amusement. Readers were particularly puzzled about how a 17th-century monarch could possibly comment on contemporary issues, specifically former Prince Andrew's connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
One observer humorously noted, 'Charles II? The king who brought back partying?' referencing a viral Horrible Histories parody song from 2010 that featured a rapping Charles II and mocked his reputation for revelry.
Historical Confusion Leads to Public Mockery
UK commentator Rupert Myers added to the criticism, stating, 'The BBC’s official US broadcast partner is now doing journalism by ouija board (Charles II died in 1685).' Another user attempted to provide a simplified history lesson, comparing the royal succession to the Home Alone film series, highlighting the distinct differences between Charles I, II, and III.
Charles II was born in 1630 and ascended to the throne in 1660 following the execution of his father, Charles I. His 25-year reign was marked by significant political and religious conflicts, as well as major events like the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London. He died in 1685 at age 54 without a legitimate heir.
Delayed Correction and Network Scrutiny
The correction was posted on X more than a day after the initial error, following a deluge of ridicule. The accompanying statement read, 'A previous version of this post erroneously referred to King Charles II. It has been corrected and the original post deleted.'
This incident occurs amid increased scrutiny of CBS News under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who assumed the role in October at the request of Paramount boss David Ellison. Weiss, founder of the Free Press, has no prior experience leading a major news organization.
Leadership Changes and Operational Challenges
Weiss's first hire was Matt Gutman, a former ABC journalist with experience at the Jerusalem Post, who now serves as the network's chief reporter. Sources indicate that ABC executives released Gutman without resistance, a move some attribute to Weiss's inexperience.
The network's rocky start continued with Weiss's highly publicized town hall featuring Erika Kirk last month, which reportedly garnered poor ratings. These missteps have placed CBS News under a microscope, raising questions about its editorial oversight and management stability.
The Daily Mail has reached out to CBS News for comment regarding the social media error and the broader challenges facing the network.
