Trump administration officials have reportedly expressed support for Paramount Skydance’s bid to purchase CNN’s parent Warner Bros. Discovery, and one official discussed potential changes at the news network with Paramount’s largest shareholder, Larry Ellison. The Guardian said Ellison spoke about the possibility of firing CNN hosts President Donald Trump doesn’t like.
The discussions come as Paramount portrays itself as the best option to acquire Warner Bros., which put itself up for sale in October. Executives with Paramount, which owns CBS, said the company would have an easier time with a regulatory review than other potential suitors.
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What changes could come to CNN?
The Guardian cited anonymous sources in reporting that Ellison, a founder of Oracle Corp., told the White House he might fire CNN anchors Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar, who have raised Trump’s ire.
Ellison reportedly discussed Burnett’s potential replacement and the possibility that CNN could air CBS shows like “60 Minutes.” The Guardian said that these proposed changes “animated” the White House.
Those who heard the conversation characterized it as informal since Ellison doesn’t have a formal role with Paramount. However, he holds a major ownership in the company run by his son, David Ellison.
What’s next with the Warner Bros. deal?
Paramount is preparing to enter its bid for Warner Bros. before Thursday’s deadline. Company officials previously submitted multiple unsolicited offers to Warner Bros. before it announced it was open to bids.
Paramount completed an $8 billion merger with David Ellison’s Skydance Media in August. Before the purchase, which required Trump administration approval, Paramount paid a $16 million settlement to Trump over an interview featuring former Vice President Kamala Harris during her unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign.
According to The Guardian, the only regulatory scrutiny Paramount may face with its purchase of Warner Bros. would be an antitrust review by the Department of Justice. However, Gail Slater, the assistant attorney general of the DOJ’s antitrust division, said she didn’t see any apparent issues with the deal.
Brendan Carr, the Federal Communications Commission chair, agreed, saying he would be “very surprised” if the FCC had to step in.
Netflix and Comcast are also interested in Warner Bros. Discovery. Comcast, which owns NBC News and MS NOW, believes the purchase would benefit its streaming business. Netflix officials said they are interested in the studio business and HBO’s library of movies and shows.
