Trump says CNN should be sold as part of any WBD deal
From the White House, Donald Trump said any deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery should include CNN — either sold with the company or separately — calling current CNN leadership “corrupt or incompetent” and saying he will “probably be involved.” His comments raise potential regulatory and political hurdles for Netflix’s roughly $83 billion offer, which targets the studio and HBO only, while Paramount has launched a hostile roughly $108 billion bid for the entire company including CNN. WBD’s board has about 10 days to respond to Paramount’s tender; Paramount disclosed financing partners (Saudi PIF, Abu Dhabi’s L’imad, Qatar Investment Authority and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners) providing at least $24 billion while forgoing board seats, and shareholders and regulators are weighing legal and risk implications for competing bids.
📌 Key Facts
- From the White House, Trump said that “any deal” to buy Warner Bros. Discovery should include CNN — either sold with the company or sold separately — called current CNN leadership “corrupt or incompetent,” said it is “imperative” CNN be sold, and that he will “probably be involved.”
- He signaled his administration could be a hurdle for bids, suggesting potential conditions tied to CNN and possible government involvement in the transaction.
- Bidding landscape: Netflix’s offer (~$83 billion) targets Warner Bros. studio and HBO only, while Paramount launched a hostile $108 billion bid for the entire company, including CNN and other cable assets.
- Warner Bros. Discovery’s board has 10 days to respond to Paramount’s hostile tender; the board views Netflix’s offer as financially superior but faces shareholder‑lawsuit risk if it rejects the tender.
- Observers (Axios) say Trump’s remarks could shift perceived regulatory risk toward Netflix’s offer because Netflix’s proposal does not include WBD’s cable networks like CNN.
- Paramount disclosed financing partners for its bid — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Abu Dhabi’s L’imad Holding, Qatar Investment Authority, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners — collectively providing at least $24 billion and agreeing to forgo board seats and voting rights to avoid foreign‑investment thresholds.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2025, 58% of Democrats trust CNN, while 58% of Republicans distrust CNN.
The Political Gap in Americans' News Sources — Pew Research Center
Net trust in CNN is 80 points higher among Democrats than among Republicans in 2025.
Trust in Media 2025: Which news sources Americans use and trust — YouGov
FCC rules prohibit foreign governments from holding radio licenses and limit foreign individuals or corporations to 20% ownership, and 25% for U.S. entities controlling licensees.
Foreign Ownership Rules and Policies for Common Carrier, Aeronautical En Route, and Aeronautical Fixed Radio Station Licensees — Federal Communications Commission
CNN's ratings decline in 2025 stems from increased competition, shifting viewer behaviors, changes in programming, and broader cable news trends.
CNN Ratings Decline: Reasons Behind the Viewership Drop — DHgate
📰 Sources (3)
- Trump said he will "probably be involved" and that it is "imperative" CNN be sold as part of any deal, calling current CNN leadership "corrupt or incompetent."
- Axios reports WBD’s board has 10 days to respond to Paramount’s hostile tender and believes Netflix’s offer is superior financially but must weigh shareholder‑lawsuit risk if it rejects the tender.
- Axios frames Trump’s remarks as potentially shifting perceived regulatory risk toward Netflix’s offer because it does not include WBD’s cable networks like CNN.
- Paramount disclosed financing partners — Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Abu Dhabi’s L’imad Holding, Qatar Investment Authority, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners — collectively providing at least $24 billion and agreeing to forgo board seats and voting rights to avoid foreign investment thresholds.
- Trump said from the White House that "any deal" to buy Warner Bros. should include CNN — either sold with the company or sold separately — citing distrust in current CNN leadership.
- He reiterated that his administration could be a hurdle for both Netflix’s and Paramount’s bids, signaling potential conditions tied to CNN.
- Article recaps that Netflix’s offer (~$83B) targets the studio and HBO only, while Paramount launched a $108B hostile bid for the entire company including CNN and other cable assets.