Trump Demands CNN Sale in Any Warner Bros. Discovery Deal

President Donald Trump has intervened in a significant media merger, stating that it is “imperative” for CNN to be sold as part of any deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).

Trump’s remarks come in response to the speculation surrounding an $82.7 billion acquisition proposal. Streaming giant Netflix has expressed interest in acquiring WBD’s studios and HBO Max, but not its television networks.

This position indicates possible opposition to the agreement between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. Instead, Trump seems to support a competing bid from Paramount Skydance. This rival offer is a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery as a whole, including CNN and all other WBD cable networks.

President Trump made his position clear at a White House meeting on Wednesday. “As part of any deal for WBD,” he told reporters, CNN’s fate “should be guaranteed and certain.” The network must be “part of it or sold separately.” He clarified his primary concern involved CNN’s current leadership.

🚨BREAKING: Trump just said that CNN's leaders are either corrupt or incompetent and "should not be allowed to operate" and should be sold, and he will likely be involved in the decision.

This is the blueprint for American fascism in real time. pic.twitter.com/lwVOvprifp

— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) December 10, 2025

He worries management could be financially rewarded if they continue operating after a deal. Trump strongly criticised the broadcaster’s executives. He called them a “dishonest group of people” during his remarks.

Read: Paramount Makes $108.4B Hostile Bid for Warner Bros, Topping Netflix Offer

“I don’t believe that the current leadership at the company and at CNN should be allowed to continue,” the President stated. He emphasised his position with a direct suggestion: “I think CNN should be sold, along with everything else.” These comments come ahead of a mandatory U.S. government antitrust review, during which regulators will examine Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s assets.