US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that CNN should be placed under new ownership as part of any sale of Warner Bros Discovery, escalating his long‑running feud with the network and inserting himself directly into a major media merger.
Warner Bros Discovery is currently the subject of a bidding battle between Paramount — led by CEO David Ellison, son of Trump ally Larry Ellison — and streaming giant Netflix. Under Paramount’s proposal, CNN would be acquired by the Ellison family. Netflix’s offer, by contrast, would require Warner Bros Discovery to sell CNN and its other cable news assets separately before completing the deal for its studio and streaming divisions.
Speaking to business leaders at the White House, Trump said any agreement should ensure that CNN is either included in the sale or divested. “I don’t think the people that are running that company right now and running CNN, which is a very dishonest group of people, I don’t think that should be allowed to continue,” he said. “I think CNN should be sold along with everything else.”
In an unusual departure from standard practice, Trump has said he intends to play a direct role in the government’s review of the deal, rather than leaving the process solely to the Department of Justice.
Both Paramount and Netflix have reportedly lobbied the White House and Trump personally as they seek support for their bids. Trump described both companies as “good,” though his comments suggested a preference for CNN ending up with owners more aligned with his views.
Trump has had a combative relationship with CNN and other major news outlets for years, frequently accusing them of bias and labelling them “fake news.”
Paramount’s leadership shift earlier this year has already drawn attention. Since taking control, David Ellison has appointed journalist Bari Weiss as editor‑in‑chief of CBS News, a move welcomed by conservatives who accuse mainstream media of liberal slant. Days before Ellison assumed control, CBS cancelled “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” a programme known for its criticism of Trump.
Still, Trump criticised Paramount this week, attacking the company on Truth Social for airing an interview with Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former ally who has since broken with him. “THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN THE OLD OWNERSHIP,” he wrote.
Netflix, meanwhile, is widely viewed as closer to Democratic circles, with founder Reed Hastings a major donor to the party.
The outcome of the bidding war — and the fate of CNN — is expected to hinge not only on financial terms but also on political dynamics surrounding the White House’s involvement.
