The fate of CNN, a prominent news network, remains ambiguous amid the ongoing corporate contest involving its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. This uncertainty deepened following a series of developments involving major industry players and political figures, notably former President Donald Trump, who has publicly expressed interest in influencing CNN's trajectory.
Earlier, a deal was struck in which Netflix would acquire much of Warner Bros. Discovery's movie studios, archival content, intellectual property, and streaming services. This agreement excluded CNN and its related cable channels, which were to be separated into an independent entity. Within CNN, this prospect initially inspired optimism, as it promised to enable the network to pursue its strategic transition towards digital growth without being tethered to legacy cable frameworks.
Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, communicated to staff that this arrangement would allow the network to continue advancing its strategy to secure a stable future, navigating the challenges of an evolving digital landscape. This sentiment came despite recent upheaval, recalling the April 2022 cancellation of CNN's streaming service CNN+ just a month after its launch, an event which involved substantial layoffs and internal disruption.
Nonetheless, this nascent hope was tempered by the reality that CNN's stability would remain vulnerable. As part of a corporate family burdened by debt following the merger that formed Warner Bros. Discovery, the network’s ultimate fate was still unresolved and open to further transactions. Adding a layer of complexity, President Trump has vocally criticized CNN’s management and called openly for the network to be sold. In a White House statement, Trump condemned the network’s leadership as disgraceful and asserted that selling CNN was imperative.
This analysis draws upon interviews with seven current and former CNN personnel, including both journalists and executives. They requested anonymity due to the uncertain conditions surrounding CNN’s ownership and their employment security.
The situation escalated after Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced plans to split the company. Subsequently, an unsolicited bid was made by David Ellison, backed financially by his father, billionaire Larry Ellison. Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle and a known Trump ally, along with his son, who leads Skydance and has become head of Paramount Global, aggressively pursued a full acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which was initially rebuffed by Zaslav before the company was put up for auction.
Presidential involvement in antitrust or corporate decisions is typically indirect, falling under the purview of federal regulators and the Justice Department. Yet, President Trump’s engagement in related transactions is notable. For instance, approval of the Paramount acquisition saw prior ownership settle a $16 million lawsuit Trump filed against CBS’s '60 Minutes'. Additionally, CBS ended the 'Colbert Report', hosted by a staunch Trump critic. Regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission was necessary given Paramount's ownership of numerous local TV stations.
Under David Ellison’s leadership, CBS has seen measures aligning more closely with conservative interests, including appointing Kenneth Weinstein, ex-head of a conservative think tank, as CBS News' ombudsman and Bari Weiss, founder of a right-leaning media outlet, as editor-in-chief. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives have also been curtailed. Four CBS insiders confirmed these shifts, attributing them to efforts to address criticism from Trump and to court conservative audiences.
Despite the relief felt within CNN when the Netflix deal was announced—averting a merger that could have led to significant job losses or political pressure—the network remains susceptible. Possible buyers include right-leaning local TV companies such as Nexstar or Sinclair Broadcast Group, investment funds, or even Paramount itself. Reports indicate Ellison has suggested a nominal price for the former Warner networks, implying potential acquisition at a low cost.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper acknowledged the unprecedented nature of President Trump’s recent condemnations of CNN’s leadership, highlighting the former president’s desire to shape or influence who acquires Warner Bros. Discovery. Former CNN reporter Oliver Darcy described Trump as a "thin-skinned aspiring autocrat" seeking control over the media and an obedient press.
Meanwhile, Ellison’s Paramount has persisted with its takeover ambitions, increasing its offer and proposing to consolidate studios, enhance streaming and sports properties, and strengthen cable networks to better compete with Netflix and other streamers. Paramount aims to rally content creators behind its vision and argues that regulatory approval is more likely compared to Netflix’s bid.
Interestingly, Paramount's bid includes financiers closely connected to President Trump: the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, helmed by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman; L’imad Holding of Abu Dhabi; the Qatar Investment Authority; and Affinity Partners, a U.S. investment fund controlled by Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and former senior advisor. These parties have reportedly agreed not to seek board seats, yet some CNN personnel have expressed concerns about the influence these investors could exert on media framing and content despite profit motives.
President Trump has demonstrated defensiveness toward media inquiries related to these developments. When questioned about Saudi involvement in controversial matters and U.S. military actions, Trump redirected criticism at CNN reporters, accusing them of partisan alignment with Democrats and ceasing further questioning.
Paramount's offer to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery is currently valid through January 8, with possibilities of extension. Netflix’s co-chief Ted Sarandos conveyed expectations of renewed bidding activity but expressed confidence in Netflix’s secured deal. The ownership battle for Warner Bros. Discovery—and with it CNN—remains unresolved, leaving the network’s future uncertain amid intricate corporate maneuvering and political influences.