“I think CNN should be sold,” Trump said, criticizing the news organization’s leadership as its parent company faces a possible takeover.
Trump involved in Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery deal
President Donald Trump says he will review the proposed $72 billion Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery deal amid antitrust concerns.
President Donald Trump has attacked CNN, whose parent company is facing a possible takeover, saying it is “essential” that the news network be sold.
CNN is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Netflix announced last week that it would buy Warner Bros. for $72 billion, but Paramount Skydance lost a bidding war with Netflix and is now attempting a hostile takeover of the company. CNN reported that while it is not included in Netflix’s offer, it would be part of Paramount’s acquisition.
President Trump said on Dec. 7 that Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. “could be problematic” because the combined company could have a very large market share. Asked again about the deal at a business roundtable at the White House on December 10, President Trump said, “There are some good companies bidding,” and turned his attention to CNN.
“I think any deal should be guaranteed and guaranteed that CNN is either part of it or sold separately,” Trump said. “But I think the people who are running that company right now, who are running CNN…I don’t think it should be allowed to continue. I think CNN should be sold along with everything else.”
According to Reuters, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner’s investment firm is involved in financing the Paramount deal.
President Trump has regularly criticized news organizations, including CNN, dating back to his first campaign. He remained aggressive with the media during his 2024 bid for the White House and since being elected to his second term.
Trump has sued ABC, CBS, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal over the past two years. ABC and CBS parent company Paramount have settled the lawsuit. A judge dismissed the lawsuit against The New York Times.
The president has also attacked reporters who ask him questions, recently calling one a “pig” and another “disgusting.”
The Warner Bros. acquisition has raised antitrust concerns and has been questioned by both Democrats and Republicans. The size of the combined entity may be subject to scrutiny by government regulators.
Contributions: Bart Jansen, Daniel de Visé, Thao Nguyen, Reuters
