Trump Allies Officially Take Control of CNN
by David Hawkins
CNN has now officially come under the ownership of a family with close ties to President Donald Trump, placing one of his most frequent media targets inside the expanding media empire led by David Ellison.
The Ellison family’s takeover of CNN parent Warner Bros. Discovery took effect on Tuesday through its merger with Paramount.
Billionaire Larry Ellison, a close Trump ally, has backed the expansion led by his son.
The new owners will retain CNN chief Mark Thompson, according to a leadership announcement Monday.
Thompson will serve as chairman and editor-in-chief, reporting to Skydance CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz.
Trump and Hegseth Welcomed Ownership Change
Trump has publicly called for CNN to change hands.
In December, Trump said that “it’s imperative that CNN be sold.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also welcomed the prospect of David Ellison taking control.
“The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better,” Hegseth said in March.
The merger brings CNN and CBS News under the same corporate roof, expanding the Ellisons’ influence across two major American news organizations.
Monday’s announcement did not signal an immediate combination of the networks’ news operations.
David Ellison has already made significant changes at CBS News.
After acquiring Paramount in August 2025, he purchased The Free Press and appointed its co-founder, Bari Weiss, as CBS News editor-in-chief.
Thompson Stays After Talks With New Owners
Thompson will remain in charge after three years leading CNN.