Media Forced to Admit J.D. Vance Was Right: Crime Numbers Aren’t Telling the Truth
For months, Americans have been told that violent crime is under control and that recent policies are making our streets safer. But what if those numbers you’ve been shown on the nightly news or in political talking points aren’t telling the full story? According to CNN’s own data expert, Vice President J.D. Vance is absolutely correct: crime statistics are underreported nationwide—and the reality could be far worse than what’s being reported.
This shocking admission happened live on CNN’s AC360 during a segment discussing crime trends across the United States. The conversation began with host Anderson Cooper referencing Vance’s recent statement that violent crime numbers are misleading because so many incidents never make it into the official records.
Cooper initially expressed skepticism, noting that a D.C. police union official had made similar claims but without presenting detailed evidence. Then came a bombshell: CNN Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten backed up Vance’s assertion, saying the Vice President is right—and he has the data to prove it.
CNN Data Analyst Confirms Underreporting Is Real
Enten didn’t mince words. While he clarified that he doesn’t believe Washington, D.C., officials are “rigging” crime statistics, he confirmed a nationwide problem: the majority of violent crimes in America never get reported to law enforcement.
Here’s what Enten said on air:
“Yeah. I don’t think that the stats are necessarily rigged, but I think it’s absolutely the case that crime, violent crime specifically, is underreported nationwide. We know that from survey data. We know that the majority of violent crimes, in fact, nationwide, actually go unreported.”
That’s right—the majority of violent crimes aren’t even in the official numbers. Why? According to Enten, victims often fear retaliation, don’t trust that police will solve the case, or simply choose to handle matters privately. Whatever the reason, the impact is massive: the crime rate Americans are being shown is just the tip of the iceberg.
Why This Matters for Every American
Think about what this means. When city officials or media outlets claim that crime is “down,” they’re usually relying on reported cases. But if most crimes aren’t being reported in the first place, those statistics are meaningless—and dangerously misleading.
This underreporting issue doesn’t just happen in D.C. or major cities. According to Enten, it’s a nationwide problem. Urban areas, suburban neighborhoods, even small towns—violent crimes are slipping through the cracks everywhere.
The implications are enormous:
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Policy decisions are based on faulty data. Leaders may believe their policies are working when, in reality, communities remain unsafe.
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Victims aren’t getting justice. When crimes go unreported, offenders face no consequences—and that emboldens repeat offenders.
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Americans are living with a false sense of security. If you think your city is “safe” because the numbers look good, think again.
The Bigger Picture: Are We Being Misled on Purpose?
Vice President Vance’s comments—and CNN’s reluctant agreement—raise serious questions about how crime is reported and presented to the public. While Enten doesn’t believe cities like D.C. are deliberately manipulating the data, others aren’t so sure.
After all, what incentive do city leaders have to admit that their crime numbers are unreliable? Doing so could undermine political narratives, trigger public outrage, and force policy changes that some officials might want to avoid.
Critics argue that this selective reporting (or lack of reporting) plays into a broader trend: downplaying crime to protect certain political agendas. Whether that’s the case or not, one thing is clear: Americans deserve the truth, not sugar-coated statistics.
What’s Next for Crime Reporting in America?
Now that CNN has admitted the problem on air, the pressure is on. Lawmakers, law enforcement agencies, and media outlets must confront the uncomfortable reality: crime in America is likely far worse than anyone wants to admit.
Vice President Vance has vowed to push for more transparency in crime reporting and better national data collection. But will that happen? Or will the political class keep hiding behind incomplete numbers while communities pay the price?
For everyday Americans, the takeaway is clear: don’t rely on official stats to judge your safety. Stay vigilant, stay prepared, and demand accountability from leaders who claim everything is “under control.”
Bottom Line: Vance Was Right, and Now Everyone Knows It
When CNN is forced to agree with a Republican Vice President on an issue as explosive as this, you know the truth can’t be ignored. For too long, Americans have been told that crime is “dropping” or that fears about public safety are overblown. But now, even the mainstream media admits it: those numbers don’t tell the whole story—and the truth is far more alarming.
As the debate over crime reporting heats up, one question remains: what else aren’t they telling us?
