CNN experienced a notable surge in viewership during Donald Trump’s first presidency, often referred to as a “Trump bump.” However, its ratings took a major hit during his second term, significantly influenced by shifts in both the media landscape and the network itself. An analysis indicates that from 2017, the first year of Trump’s second presidency, to 2025, CNN has lost over 40% of its daytime and prime-time audiences.
In 2015, CNN recorded an average of 711,000 viewers during prime time and 489,000 for daily broadcasts. Interestingly, Trump’s announcement for presidency came later that year, and initially, he wasn’t taken too seriously by major news outlets. But by early 2016, as he gained traction as a viable Republican nominee, networks including CNN acknowledged his strong ratings potential.
In 2016, CNN’s viewership surged, averaging 1.3 million prime-time viewers and 752,000 daily viewers, especially after covering Trump’s rallies live, despite facing backlash from some on the left. The network continued to thrive into 2017, the beginning of Trump’s presidency, adopting what many termed a “Resistance” narrative, with figures like Jim Acosta frequently clashing with Trump’s administration. During this time, CNN’s prime-time average held at 1 million, even amidst accusations of being “fake news.”
Fast forward to 2025—CNN’s landscape appears quite different. There have been several leadership changes, and many key figures like Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo have left. What was once a vibrant network transformed under Jeff Zucker, who shaped it from a traditional news source to one often criticized for its stances. Zucker’s departure coincided with a major merger, and his successors have struggled to steer the network in a profitable direction.
Now, in 2025, CNN reports a dramatic decline, with prime-time viewers dropping to 573,000 and overall daily viewers to 432,000. The network has seen a 45% drop in its prime-time viewership across the eight years. CNN attributes this downturn to viewers migrating to alternative news platforms and the increasing popularity of streaming services and political podcasts. The trend of households disconnecting cable is also noted, as around 80 million have cut the cord, leaving approximately 54 million still subscribing.
Contrasting this, Fox News has gained substantial traction, marking a 10% increase in prime-time viewership and a 13% rise overall throughout the same period. The network’s share of cable news viewers exploded from 47% in 2017 to 63% in 2025. Some analysts, however, suggest that CNN’s declining trust among American viewers might be contributing even more to its viewership issues.
Joe Concha, a contributor at Fox News, posits that CNN’s repeated focus on Trump has worn viewers thin. Likewise, Curtis Houk from NewsBusters mentions the evolving media landscape, where Trump’s critics no longer heavily depend on cable news sources for opposition commentary. The resistance that once rallied around networks like CNN now finds numerous platforms catering to similar sentiments.
Media analyst Jeffrey McCall attributes CNN’s faltering viewership to a mix of factors, including the media’s initial denial about Trump’s presidency and its fixation on contentious narratives. He suggests that although the drive for resistance persists, the urgency for it has diminished in light of Trump’s stagnated political recovery.
Overall, CNN’s struggle reflects broader trends within the industry, where shifts in viewer preferences and consumption habits are challenging traditional cable news formats.
