CNN Reportedly Acquired by "MAGA Ally"
A "MAGA ally" has reportedly acquired CNN, a development that is said to be causing significant disruption at CBS. The move is being framed as a strategic political play rather than a simple business transaction. The acquisition has sparked concerns over editorial independence and the future of the U.S. free press.
In a significant media landscape shift, Paramount Skydance's successful bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery places CNN under new ownership. The deal, valued at $31 per share, surpassed a rival offer from Netflix, which subsequently withdrew from the bidding war. Unlike the Netflix offer, which targeted only the film studio and HBO, Paramount's acquisition includes all of Warner Bros. Discovery's assets, including its linear networks like CNN, TNT, and TBS. The acquisition is led by David Ellison, CEO of Skydance and son of Oracle's billionaire co-founder, Larry Ellison, a prominent ally of Donald Trump. Reports from December 2025 indicated that David Ellison had previously assured Trump administration officials he would enact "sweeping changes to CNN" if he were to acquire the network. This has fueled concerns about the future editorial independence of the news organization. These concerns are amplified by recent changes at CBS News, which is also owned by Paramount. Under Ellison's ownership, CBS News has faced criticism for a perceived rightward shift, particularly after the appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief. There is speculation that CNN's newsgathering operations could be merged with those of CBS News following the acquisition. The transaction faced a competitive bidding process, with Netflix initially striking a deal to acquire WBD's studio and streaming assets. However, Paramount continued to pursue a full acquisition, eventually submitting what WBD's board deemed a "superior proposal." Following Paramount's winning bid, CNN CEO Mark Thompson urged staff in a memo not to "jump to conclusions" about the implications of the new ownership.
