Variety also noted that under the new deal, Netflix will be acquiring the WB studio and HBO Max but not the Discovery part of Warner Bros TV. David Ellison, who is the head of Paramount Skydance, just started a hostile takeover of WBD which includes CNN and the WBD other cable networks.
Variety noted that the president stated last Wednesday that at the White House. “I think I think CNN should be sold because I think the people that are running CNN right now are either corrupt or incompetent.” Trump allegedly stated that he wanted different management running the CNN network. “I don’t think the people that are running that company right now and running CNN, which is a very dishonest group of people, I don’t think that should be allowed to continue. I think CNN should be sold along with everything else.” Trump continued his statement saying, “I think that the people that have run CNN for the last, long period of time are a disgrace.”
On the other hand, the Senator from Massachuttes, Elizabeth Warren, stated, “Trump has been trying to muzzle CNN for years. Surprise, surprise: Paramount’s bid for Warner Bros. Include control over CNN-and is backed by Jared Jusner’s private equity firm and billions from Saudi Arabia. This reeks of corruption in service of squashing free speech.” According to Variety.
Variety also noted that allegedly, President Trump responded that he has not spoken to Ellison about his bid for the WBD, although, in the past Trump had talked about his friendship with Ellison and his father, Larry Ellison.