A recent report suggested that Paramount promised President Donald Trump a CNN overhaul if the Warner Bros. deal became successful. However, the company has since responded, shooting down the claim.
Paramount Skydance denies report about Donald Trump and CNN
Larry Ellison, Oracle co-founder and former CEO, allegedly promised Donald Trump, with whom he is reportedly a close friend and who he financially backs, that if Paramount Skydance successfully landed the Warner Bros. deal, they would reshape CNN. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that they shared a mutual dislike of the news network, perceiving it as biased towards liberal news and against the presidential administration.
However, a Paramount spokeswoman clarified that there was no such promise. She shared in a statement, “No commitments from either David or Larry Ellison have been made to any government body, State AG or federal agency regarding the future of CNN or any other news property, other than the goal to deliver truth-based journalism.”
Meanwhile, Kush Desai said that Trump shared that he did not pick sides during the bidding process. He stated, “President Trump has consistently maintained that he was neutral to all parties throughout the Warner Bros. Discovery bidding process.”
Trump has expressed a distaste for CNN. At a White House news conference about the $1.776 billion fund earlier this month, he labeled the network “very corrupt” and “crooked as hell.” He also accused reporter Kaitlan Collins of having “hatred in her eyes.”
Notably, this isn’t the first time such a promise has been heard. Previously, in December, the outlet reported that David Ellison assured Trump that if he purchased Warner Bros. Discovery, he would ensure “sweeping changes.” WSJ further alleged that Trump told close ones of his desire to own CNN and revamp the programming.
However, the White House declined to comment on this. An official stressed that they don’t address Trump’s private conversations.
Previously, The Guardian reported that Ellison frequently connected with White House officials. They shared that he discussed with one the possibility of removing some hosts whom Trump hated. According to people, these reportedly included Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar.
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on ComingSoon.
