Trump Says CNN Should Be Sold as Warner Bros Discovery Bids Intensify

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said CNN should be sold as part of any transaction involving Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), adding a new political angle to the ongoing bidding contest for the media company.

Trump, a long-time critic of the network, argued that CNN requires new owners and repeated his complaints about its coverage of his administration and campaign.

Warner Bros Discovery has become the focus of competing takeover efforts as major media groups seek scale in a shifting entertainment landscape.

Netflix has agreed to acquire WBD’s film, TV and streaming assets, a deal that specifically excludes CNN and other linear cable networks, leaving the future of those properties unresolved. 

• Trump says CNN should be sold as rival bids for Warner Bros Discovery intensify
• Paramount and Netflix compete for WBD as CNN’s future becomes a political flashpoint
• Trump’s remarks add scrutiny to media consolidation and regulatory hurdles in WBD takeover battle

In contrast, Paramount Skydance has launched a hostile all-cash bid for the entire company, including CNN, contending that a full purchase offers a clearer structure for regulatory review.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said the network “should be sold,” maintaining that its current ownership is unsuitable. He again criticized CNN’s ratings and editorial decisions, reiterating claims he has made throughout his political career. His remarks come as investors and analysts evaluate the financial and regulatory hurdles facing both suitors.

Paramount’s bid is led by CEO David Ellison, whose father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, has been publicly supportive of Trump. Reports have also raised questions about whether Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner discussed potential financing with bidders—claims Trump denied. He said he has not spoken with Kushner about the WBD negotiations and described both Paramount and Netflix as companies operating independently of political ties.

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The competing offers for Warner Bros Discovery, along with Trump’s comments, place CNN at the center of a high-profile mix of media consolidation, political influence, and U.S. media ownership. The network’s fate will depend on which bid prevails and how regulators assess ownership changes in the broader media industry.