Defense Secretary Supports Trump Ally’s CNN Takeover Amid Media Criticism

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed support for a Trump ally's potential acquisition of CNN while sharply criticizing the network's war reporting. The comments come as lawmakers from both parties raise concerns about media consolidation and press freedom.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth voiced his support Friday for a media deal that would place CNN under the control of a Trump administration ally, while launching harsh criticism against news outlets’ coverage of the ongoing Iran conflict.

Speaking during a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth expressed enthusiasm for David Ellison’s potential takeover of the news network through Paramount’s massive $110 billion acquisition of CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros.

“The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better,” declared Hegseth, who previously worked as a Fox News host and served in combat roles before joining the Pentagon leadership.

The Defense Secretary’s remarks came on the 14th day of the Iran war, as he took aim at CNN’s reporting about Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The shipping disruption has caused oil prices to surge and created volatility in financial markets, while polling data indicates Americans have little appetite for the conflict due to fears of rising gas costs.

Under Hegseth’s leadership, the Pentagon has implemented new restrictions on media access, prompting approximately 30 prominent news organizations to surrender their press credentials. Major outlets including Fox News, the Washington Post, and Reuters have stepped back, while defense officials have welcomed alternative media sources.

CNN defended its journalism when questioned about the Pentagon’s complaints. “We stand by our reporting,” a network spokesperson stated. Paramount representatives declined to provide comment on the matter.

The controversy centers around CNN’s Thursday report claiming Pentagon and National Security Council officials badly misjudged Iran’s determination to shut down the crucial waterway, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

David Ellison, whose father is tech billionaire Larry Ellison, maintains strong connections to President Trump’s inner circle and is spearheading the Warner Bros acquisition. His media empire expanded in 2025 when he gained control of Paramount following its merger with Skydance Media, which included CBS News.

Federal regulators must sign off on the Paramount-Warner Bros transaction, though the Federal Communications Commission leadership indicated this month they would not oppose the deal.

However, legislators across party lines have expressed worry that such media consolidation could limit consumer options and increase costs. Additional concerns focus on potential threats to editorial freedom and press independence, despite First Amendment constitutional protections.

While Hegseth has recently reopened Pentagon briefings to traditional media outlets covering Iran operations, he has primarily fielded questions from non-mainstream reporters during the past two weeks.

Friday’s briefing featured extensive criticism of war reporting from the Defense Secretary. He also targeted ABC News for covering an FBI warning about possible Iranian drone retaliation strikes in California following U.S. military action. ABC News had not responded to requests for comment by press time.

“We’re used to bad reporting. We’re used to ill-informed reporting, and so it doesn’t change how we operate, but we engage with it to prove that it’s not true,” Hegseth stated. He dismissed CNN’s Strait of Hormuz coverage as “fake news,” “patently ridiculous” and “a fundamentally unserious report.”