Larry Ellison Floated Axing CNN Hosts in Takeover Call
Larry Ellison, the largest Paramount shareholder and Trump ally, discussed firing CNN hosts Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar with senior White House officials during calls regarding Paramount’s bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, according to The Guardian. Ellison also proposed airing CBS properties like 60 Minutes on CNN, ideas said to draw interest inside the White House.
Ellison maintains frequent contact with Trump administration figures despite holding no executive role at Paramount, which is run by his son David Ellison. The informal exchanges occurred as Paramount prepares a full acquisition bid for Warner Bros. Discovery ahead of a November 20 deadline following earlier unsuccessful offers.
Trump is viewed as sympathetic to the Ellisons after Paramount paid a $16 million settlement to him for the controversial Kamala Harris 60 Minutes interview. Multiple Washington consultants with Trump administration ties previously held contracts with Oracle, where Ellison serves as executive chairman.
Trump has demanded CNN be sold, backing the Paramount-Skydance bid. Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr stated he would be “very surprised if there was an FCC role” in the transaction, signaling regulatory alignment with the takeover.
Paramount faces competition from Comcast and Netflix for Warner Bros. Discovery’s acquisition. The discussions demonstrate direct coordination between Trump officials and a major shareholder to reshape CNN’s editorial personnel and content.