CNN Boss Tells Staff to Stay Calm as Paramount Takeover Looms

CNN's chief executive is urging employees to remain focused on their work as Paramount appears set to acquire the network's parent company. The potential deal has sparked concerns about possible changes to CNN's direction and staffing, especially given Paramount's connections to President Trump.

CNN’s top executive is working to reassure worried employees after news broke that Paramount has emerged as the likely buyer of Warner Bros. Discovery, the network’s parent company.

Mark Thompson, CNN’s chief, quickly sent an internal message to staff essentially telling them to stay focused and not panic about the corporate shake-up.

The acquisition has created significant uncertainty about CNN’s future, including questions about potential staff changes and whether the network’s editorial approach might shift under new ownership. Many are analyzing how Paramount has managed CBS News as a preview of what could happen at CNN.

Thompson advised his team in the internal communication not to make assumptions based on media speculation. “Despite all the speculation you’ve read during this process, I’d suggest that you don’t jump to conclusions until we know more,” Thompson stated, encouraging staff to concentrate on delivering quality journalism.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s chief executive David Zaslav acknowledged during a company meeting Friday that Paramount’s victory over Netflix in the bidding process “feels a little whiplashy,” as reported by CNN’s Brian Stelter. Zaslav estimated the transaction would require approximately six months to finalize. David Ellison, who leads Paramount, has remained silent about his intentions for the news network.

The uncertainty comes at a challenging time for the media industry, and the potential impact could be substantial.

CNN pioneered round-the-clock cable news coverage when Ted Turner launched the network 45 years ago. Today, its domestic audience trails behind Fox News, which primarily attracts conservative viewers, and MS NOW (previously MSNBC), which appeals mainly to liberal audiences. President Trump has been a vocal critic, and his attacks during his first presidency significantly hurt CNN’s reputation among conservative viewers.

Last December, Trump accused CNN of spreading “poison and lies,” declaring that “I think the people who have run CNN for the last long period of time are a disgrace. I think it’s imperative that CNN be sold.”

Both David Ellison and his wealthy father Larry have connections to Trump. David Ellison was present in the gallery Tuesday when the president gave his State of the Union speech.

After Paramount gained control of CBS News last summer, the company reached a settlement in Trump’s lawsuit against “60 Minutes.” The president, who avoided the program during his reelection campaign, participated in an interview last fall and another on the “CBS Evening News” in January.

Under Ellison’s leadership, CBS appointed a Republican operative as ombudsman to monitor potential bias, though his activities have remained largely out of public view. Bari Weiss, an opinion writer and creator of the Free Press website, took over as CBS News editor-in-chief, with observers closely watching her decisions for signs of a rightward shift. Weiss has stated her goal is to attract viewers from across the political spectrum.

Critics’ suspicions intensified in December when Weiss directed that a “60 Minutes” segment criticizing Trump’s immigration deportation policies should include additional administration response. The piece eventually broadcast a month later.

Whether Ellison plans to combine CBS News and CNN operations remains unclear, though such mergers have been considered previously. The Wall Street Journal reported in December that Ellison told Trump administration representatives he would implement “sweeping changes” at CNN if he acquired it. Paramount has not responded to requests for comment.

Trump has publicly criticized every host in CNN’s prime-time schedule at various times.

In 2023 social media posts, he claimed Erin Burnett broadcast false information about him, suggesting her program should be canceled. He has repeatedly used derogatory language about Anderson Cooper, who is gay, by calling him by a woman’s name. This month, he labeled Kaitlan Collins “the worst reporter” after she questioned him about the Epstein documents at the White House. Last year, he described Abby Phillip as “strictly 3rd rate” on social media.

Just two weeks ago, Cooper announced his departure from “60 Minutes,” where he split time with his CNN duties, and he may now find himself working under Weiss’s leadership again.

Tom Johnson, who served as network president during the 1990s, expressed his concerns: “Since its founding by Ted Turner in 1980, CNN has provided news that viewers can trust. News that is accurate and fair. I truly hope the new CNN owner will maintain its journalistic independence and excellence. I am deeply worried that he will not.”

However, characterizing CBS News and Paramount as simply pro-Trump would be oversimplified. “60 Minutes” continues producing critical coverage of administration policies. While CBS announced it would end Stephen Colbert’s late-night comedy show in May, Paramount has also renewed contracts for Jon Stewart and the “South Park” creators on Comedy Central.

Former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta, who departed to launch his own online program after clashing with Trump during the president’s first term, said network employees were already concerned about job security before this announcement.

“Trump has cracked the code in how to hurt the media,” Acosta observed. “This is bigger than just one company. This is deeply un-American.”