Trump Demands CNN Sale Amid Warner Bros. Discovery Battle
In a recent White House roundtable, President Donald Trump took a bold stance on the future of Warner Bros. Discovery, declaring it is “imperative that CNN be sold.” These comments appear to support Paramount’s hostile bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes CNN, aligning Trump with CEO David Ellison’s plans for sweeping changes at the news network.
Trump has long criticized CNN for its coverage, asserting that the network spreads “poison” and “lies.” His remarks come at a time when concerns are growing among CNN journalists about the potential impact of an Ellison takeover on the network’s editorial independence. This situation is compounded by Ellison’s recent attempt to combine his corporate strategy with support from Trump’s administration.
Despite Trump’s obvious favoritism toward a Paramount takeover, it’s unclear whether such a sale would genuinely enhance CNN’s reporting integrity. Ellen’s ties to Trump, including political donations and promises for substantial changes, have raised eyebrows regarding how CNN’s coverage of Trump might be affected under new ownership.
The ongoing negotiations surrounding Warner Bros. Discovery, which may include a split into two publicly traded entities, further complicate matters. As Netflix also eyes parts of the Warner conglomerate, the results of these bidding wars could reshape the landscape of media coverage significantly.
While Trump has claimed to support a leadership change at CNN, the essential question remains whether any new owner can genuinely guarantee the network’s journalistic independence. The current leadership at Warner Bros. Discovery has emphasized a commitment to maintaining CNN’s editorial autonomy, a promise that may face scrutiny if ownership changes hands amid such politically charged circumstances.
(Source: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/10/media/trump-cnn-sold-paramount-warner-bros-netflix)