In a bold statement that has stirred the pot, President Donald Trump declared that CNN should be sold as part of the ongoing negotiations surrounding its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. This announcement came during a press briefing at the White House on December 10, 2025, where Trump asserted, "CNN should be sold," emphasizing his long-standing criticism of the network.
Trump has not held back in his disdain for CNN, often labeling it as "fake news" and accusing it of biased reporting against him. He has gone so far as to call CNN "one of the worst in the business," ridiculing its viewership numbers as so dismal that they are no longer relevant.
Currently, Warner Bros. is in the spotlight as it navigates offers from major players in the streaming industry, including Netflix and Paramount Skydance, each presenting very different proposals. Recently, Warner Bros. accepted an offer from Netflix, which has sparked a competitive response from Paramount, leading them to initiate a hostile bid.
Netflix's acquisition plan includes assets like HBO but notably excludes CNN and other cable networks. Instead, these cable properties, which also encompass TNT and TBS, are anticipated to be separated into a distinct entity prior to the merger.
On the other hand, Paramount's bid aims to acquire the entire Warner Bros. company. Paramount's CEO, David Ellison, who is the son of billionaire and Trump supporter Larry Ellison, has highlighted that his all-cash offer provides a more straightforward path through regulatory scrutiny and proposes to merge CNN with CBS News.
However, Warner Bros.' legal team has expressed concerns regarding the lack of a solid financial backing from Ellison's family, despite the involvement of wealthy sovereign funds. Recently, Paramount reiterated to Warner Bros. shareholders that it has secured the necessary financing to fulfill its offer of $30 per share in cash.
In addition to Ellison's role, Wall Street analysts have raised eyebrows over the potential influence of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in the deal, questioning whether Trump's political clout could sway the outcome in favor of Paramount.
Trump clarified to reporters that he has not discussed Warner Bros. with Kushner and noted that neither Netflix nor Paramount are personal allies of his. Just a day prior, he had commented on Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros.' studios and streaming assets.
This situation raises intriguing questions about the future of CNN and the broader media landscape. What do you think about Trump's call for CNN's sale? Is it a necessary move for the network's credibility, or does it reflect deeper issues within media ownership? Share your thoughts!
