CNN reportedly acquired by MAGA ally
A prominent ally of the MAGA movement has reportedly acquired CNN. The same individual is said to be concurrently making sweeping changes at CBS. The acquisition raises questions about potential shifts in editorial direction and increased polarization in the American news landscape.
The winning bid for CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, came from Paramount Skydance, a company led by David Ellison. His father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, is a billionaire and a prominent ally and megadonor for Donald Trump. Paramount Skydance secured the deal by upping its offer to $31 per share, beating out a rival bid from Netflix. Unlike Paramount's offer for the entire conglomerate, Netflix was primarily interested in the film studio and HBO streaming assets, with a plan to spin off cable networks like CNN. Donald Trump publicly advocated for CNN to change ownership, calling the network's leaders "dishonest" and a "disgrace." David Ellison reportedly gave assurances to Trump administration officials that he would enact sweeping changes at the news network if his acquisition was successful. The Ellison takeover of CBS News has already resulted in significant shifts, including the appointment of conservative-leaning commentator Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief. Weiss, founder of The Free Press, has overseen a turbulent period at CBS involving layoffs and the cancellation of streaming spinoff shows. The leadership changes and rightward shift at CBS have seen veteran journalists depart. Anderson Cooper, a longtime CNN anchor, announced he would not renew his contract as a correspondent for CBS's *60 Minutes*, reportedly bristling at Weiss's hands-on style and the network's new direction. Staffers at both CNN and CBS have expressed concerns about the merger, anticipating significant job cuts as the two major news operations are brought under the same ownership. There is speculation that Bari Weiss could be given a significant role at CNN following the acquisition.
