President Donald Trump has recently made headlines by voicing his strong opinions on the potential deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery. In a meeting at the White House, Trump emphasized the importance of CNN being sold as part of any agreement reached by Warner Bros. Discovery. He expressed his concerns about the current management team at CNN, stating that he believes they are either corrupt or incompetent.
The deal in question involves Netflix’s proposed $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes WB’s studios and HBO Max but excludes any of WBD’s TV networks, such as CNN. On the other hand, Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison, has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery in its entirety, including CNN and other cable networks owned by WBD.
Trump’s stance on the matter is clear – he believes that CNN should be sold separately or included in any deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the current leadership at CNN, labeling them as dishonest and spreading lies. Trump emphasized that he does not want the current management team to benefit financially from any potential deal.
During his first term, Trump’s administration took legal action to block AT&T’s acquisition of Time Warner, citing antitrust concerns that were reportedly influenced by his disdain for CNN. Despite the legal battle, the acquisition was ultimately approved by a federal judge and upheld by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
When asked about his thoughts on Paramount Skydance’s rival bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, Trump stated that he needed more information before forming an opinion. He highlighted the importance of considering how each deal would impact the market share of Netflix and Paramount Skydance. Trump also addressed speculation about his son-in-law Jared Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners, being involved in backing Paramount’s bid, stating that he had not discussed the matter with Kushner.
It remains to be seen how Trump’s vocal opinions will impact the ongoing negotiations surrounding Warner Bros. Discovery. Both Netflix and Paramount Skydance are vying for the lucrative deal, with CNN’s future hanging in the balance. As the situation continues to unfold, stakeholders and industry watchers will be closely monitoring the developments to see how this high-stakes deal plays out.
