‘Terrifying’ ad broadcasted on CNN during U.S. Election Night coverage

A president appeared to hijack CNN's coverage of the US midterm elections on Tuesday, leaving viewers questioning what they were watching.

The advert, which has since gone viral on social media, showed President Snow delivering a chilling propaganda message from the fictional nation of Panem.

Snow addressed viewers in his role as the ruthless leader of Panem, creating the impression that the fictional government had taken over the U.S. airwaves.

The unexpected stunt prompted confusion among viewers, with many taking to social media to search for answers about the mysterious interruption.

The words "Break the Machine" had appeared on-screen throughout the takeover in addition to a countdown.

But if you think President Snow looks eerily familiar, you'd be correct. The apparent takeover was not real and President Snow is played the actor Ralph Fiennes.

So, what is going on?

It was a promotional campaign for the upcoming film The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

If you fell for it, you're not the only one. The footage was presented as an official television broadcast, mimicking the authoritarian announcements familiar to fans of The Hunger Games franchise. In fact, the film's title and release date was shown at the very end of the broadcast.

Still, the unexpected appearance, which was shared widely on social media, initially prompted confusion among viewers who wondered whether CNN's live coverage had genuinely been interrupted.

The advert's placement made the footage appear as though a real broadcast had interrupted election coverage, echoing the way propaganda is used to control the population in the fictional world of Panem in The Hunger Games.

Fans quickly shared clips of the unusual stunt across social media, where it sparked widespread discussion.

The unusual advert quickly prompted a wave of reactions online, with fans praising the timing and creativity of the promotional stunt.

One viewer wrote: “Airing a Hunger Games trailer in the middle of election night coverage is some bold ad placement”.

Another described the stunt as “really fitting”, while a third commented: “cnn running hunger games ads on election night is the most honest shit they've aired all damn year”.

Others embraced the fictional political connection, with one fan writing: “The Capitol buying a CNN ad slot is peak method marketing. Next they'll send the reaping results as push notifications”.

Another viewer summed up the reaction, saying: “ngl this is terrifying but brilliant marketing”.

Fiennes steps into the role previously played by the late Donald Sutherland in the original films. He's portraying a younger version of the ruthless Panem leader, 24 years before Katniss Everdeen enters the arena.

The prequel film will explore Snow's rise to power and his involvement in the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, is set to arrive in UK cinemas on 20 November, 2026, and early reactions suggest it could be one of the series' strongest films yet.

Based on Suzanne Collins' bestselling novel, the prequel takes viewers back 24 years before the original story, following a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, as he is selected to compete in the brutal 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

The film marks the return of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen and she will reunite with Josh Hutcherson, who reprises his role as Peeta Mellark. Woody Harrelson is also returning as Haymitch.

Following its London premiere, there has already received encouraging reactions, with critics praising its emotional storyline and performances.