The ongoing feud between President Trump and CNN has taken a dramatic turn, as network CEO Mark Thompson reportedly issued a stern warning to anchor Jake Tapper and others about their approach to covering Trump’s second term.
Fresh off losing a costly defamation lawsuit brought by Navy veteran Zachary Young, Tapper found himself in the hot seat during a Sunday editorial call where Thompson made it clear that “pre-judging Trump” based on past legal battles or campaign rhetoric would not be tolerated. Instead, CNN should focus on Trump’s actions since taking office, which include signing over 100 executive orders tackling immigration, birthright citizenship, and dismantling federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The shift in tone marks a significant departure from CNN’s stance during Trump’s first term, when the network, under former CEO Jeff Zucker, positioned itself as an aggressive adversary to the administration. Who could forget the infamous Jim Acosta showdowns in the White House press briefing room? Back then, CNN anchors like Tapper and Anderson Cooper were given free rein to label Trump’s statements as “lies” and inject editorial commentary into their reporting.
But under Thompson’s leadership, the rules have changed. According to insiders, Thompson has made it clear that CNN must approach Trump’s presidency with some level of deference and avoid falling into the same pitfalls that eroded public trust in the network. The Daily Beast reports that after Thompson’s directive, no one on the call dared to push back—perhaps an acknowledgment that CNN’s ratings freefall and loss of credibility demand a change in approach.
Tapper’s coverage of Trump’s Inauguration Day was noticeably subdued, a far cry from the firebrand approach viewers had grown accustomed to. The message is clear: Thompson doesn’t want CNN to continue “poking the eye” of the president and is determined to give the MAGA movement a seat at the table, even if that means allowing viewpoints that CNN once considered “incendiary.”
The shift isn’t just about journalistic integrity—it’s about survival. CNN’s ratings have plummeted, leading to over 100 layoffs and salary cuts for high-profile figures like Tapper and Cooper. Thompson’s efforts to rebrand the network include more lifestyle content and a renewed focus on “fair-minded” reporting, but tensions remain high as veteran reporters struggle to adjust.
With Trump back in the White House, the question remains: can CNN truly shift gears, or will the old habits that defined their anti-Trump years prove too difficult to break?
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