CNN officially changed hands on Tuesday, as the Ellison family’s takeover of its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, took effect through a merger with Paramount. This development follows a year of intricate negotiations and regulatory approvals, placing one of the United States' most prominent news networks under new leadership with close ties to President Donald Trump.
"And second, having now spoken to them at length of the topic, I have real confidence that they both understand and will fully support the principle and practice of the kind of independent news that CNN has always stood for." Mark Thompson, CNN Chairman and Editor-in-Chief
The transition culminates a period marked by President Trump's vocal criticism of CNN. In December, President Trump publicly stated, “it’s imperative that CNN be sold,” highlighting the network as a frequent target of his administration's media critique. Billionaire Larry Ellison, a known Trump ally, has supported the media expansion, with his son, David Ellison, leading the new corporate entity.
The deal's progression saw Paramount win a bidding war for Warner Bros. in February. This move immediately sparked concerns among some CNN employees regarding potential impacts on editorial independence. A month later, in March, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly endorsed the shift, remarking, “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.”
Further solidifying the connections, April brought a private, off-the-record dinner attended by President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and other administration officials, alongside David Ellison and other Paramount leaders. The Justice Department subsequently approved the merger in June, despite reports from The Wall Street Journal indicating that career staffers at the department had expressed misgivings about the transaction.
The most recent development occurred on Monday, when the incoming owners announced their leadership lineup. Notably, Mark Thompson will continue in his role as CNN's chairman and editor-in-chief, reporting to Skydance CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz. Thompson has directed CNN for the past three years, following prior leadership positions at the BBC and The New York Times Co. His continued tenure was not a certainty, as Thompson had previously told employees he would stay "if the circumstances are right."
Sources familiar with the discussions, who requested anonymity, indicated that Thompson met with Paramount executives multiple times last week. The Wall Street Journal first reported that David Ellison had personally asked him to remain. In a memo to CNN staff on Monday, Thompson explained his decision, outlining two primary reasons for his continued leadership.
"First, I’m convinced that from David Ellison on down, Paramount Skydance leadership really does believe in news alongside entertainment as a top strategic opportunity for our new company. They’ve seen our digital strategy and are as excited about it as we are," Thompson wrote, citing the new owners' support for his digital strategy and their view of news as a valuable business.
His second reason addressed the critical issue of editorial authority. Thompson stated he had secured assurances on this front after extensive discussions with the new leadership. "And second, having now spoken to them at length of the topic, I have real confidence that they both understand and will fully support the principle and practice of the kind of independent news that CNN has always stood for," Thompson's memo continued. "That’s why I will be leading CNN into this new chapter as it becomes one of Skydance’s suite of major media assets and global brands, and leading it as an independent editor-in-chief with the same responsibilities and prerogatives that I have now."
The merger effectively places CNN and Paramount's CBS News under a single corporate umbrella. Monday's announcement, however, did not indicate any immediate plans to combine the operations of the two news divisions. It is worth noting that CBS News has already experienced leadership changes under David Ellison's influence. He acquired Paramount in August 2025 (sic) and subsequently purchased The Free Press, installing its co-founder, Bari Weiss, as editor-in-chief of CBS News. The official change of ownership for CNN marks a significant shift in the landscape of national news media, bringing a major network under the control of figures aligned with President Trump's political circle.
