Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth took a jab at CNN during a recent Pentagon briefing, taking issue with the network’s coverage of the U.S. conflict with Iran and expressing hope for a swift takeover by Paramount CEO David Ellison. He referred to CNN’s reporting as “fake news,” specifically the suggestion that the Trump administration was downplaying the threats Iran poses in the Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth remarked, “It’s absolutely ridiculous. Iran has a long history of threatening shipping here. They always hold the Strait hostage.”
He added that CNN seemed to underestimate the issue, calling the report disingenuous, and stated, “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.”
CNN responded by affirming their commitment to their reporting but did not address Hegseth’s comments directly. This criticism comes on the heels of Paramount defeating Netflix in a bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company.
Although there are still legal hurdles before Ellison’s ownership is finalized, the potential impact on the media landscape could be significant. Reports suggest a tense atmosphere at CNN as staff brace for changes resulting from the impending acquisition.
Many in the industry are also speculating about the relationship between CNN and CBS News post-merger. Concerns loom among CNN employees that Ellison, a close associate of Trump and son of billionaire Larry Ellison, could steer the network toward more conservative perspectives.
In a recent interview, Ellison claimed that CNN would uphold “editorial independence,” aiming to appeal to a broad audience, including both center-left and center-right voters. But uncertainties remain, particularly regarding Bari Weiss’s potential role following the merger. Weiss, who has a controversial reputation, has made noticeable changes at CBS News, such as hiring new talent for prominent roles.
A number of staff from CBS have reportedly exited amid these shifts, adding to the overall unease within the network as it evolves under new leadership.
