Billionaire Media Investor Talked About Firing CNN Hosts Trump Doesn’t Like in Backdoor White House Conversations: Report

As Warner Bros. Discovery looks for a potential buyer, the White House is said to be leaning toward a deal that would involve Paramount and Skydance.

That reportedly favorable view may be tied to conversations between Paramount’s largest shareholder, Larry Ellison, and officials in President Donald Trump’s administration, according to The Guardian. Sources told the outlet that Ellison, 81, has remained in contact with multiple White House figures, and at least once discussed a possible shakeup at CNN, which is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.

The discussion allegedly centered on restructuring the network, including the potential removal of certain anchors who have drawn Trump’s criticism, such as Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar. Insiders claimed the idea of a Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery tie-up has energized some within the administration.

Those talks reportedly also touched on programming strategy, including the possibility of bringing CBS shows — such as 60 Minutes — to CNN. CBS is part of Paramount’s media portfolio.

While Ellison has been linked to these conversations, The Guardian noted that he does not hold a formal management role at Paramount beyond his stake. Day-to-day leadership is handled by his son, David Ellison.

The White House’s interest in Paramount is also said to be influenced by the company’s recent legal settlement with Trump. Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to resolve Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit, which accused the company of misleadingly editing a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.

Not long after that settlement, CBS canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The decision came just days after Colbert publicly criticized Paramount for settling with Trump.

Trump has repeatedly urged networks to dismiss late-night hosts who mock or challenge him. His latest target has been NBC’s Seth Meyers.

Initial bids for Warner Bros. Discovery are due Thursday, Nov. 20. Paramount isn’t the only suitor reportedly considering an offer — The Guardian also cited interest from Netflix and Comcast.