Long-time CNN host Dana Bash on Monday stated that her network does not hate America after President Donald Trump accused it of "hating our country," because it allegedly withholds certain information from the public.

The president made the comment during a meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, who asked Trump why the media does not promote the amount of illegal migrants his administration has deported. Trump responded that some outlets do, but CNN does not.

“CNN over there doesn’t want to put them out because they don’t like putting out good numbers," Trump said while gesturing to CNN reporters. "Because I think they hate our country. It’s a shame, really.”

Bash, who is one of the network's longest-serving anchors, stated that CNN does not hate America, but did not comment on why her network does not highlight how many migrants have been deported.

“I just want to say for the record … CNN does not hate our country,” Bash said. “That should go without saying. I’ve been here for 32 years. And I see a rhetorical device in him trying to say such a thing."

It is not clear how many illegal migrants have been deported so far, but the U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported on Monday that in March it has apprehended 264 migrants per day trying to enter the country through the southern border.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.