CNN is reportedly set to undergo major layoffs, with the news giant expected to cut hundreds of positions, including prominent on-air talent, as part of a strategic restructuring effort. This decision comes in the wake of disappointing ratings during the 2024 US Presidential Election coverage. According to reports from Puck and DailyMail, the network’s election night viewership hit a low, drawing only 5.1 million viewers, which placed CNN significantly behind MSNBC and Fox News. The restructuring is being led by new CEO Mark Thompson, who took over in August, with an emphasis on shifting priorities toward digital content. Sources indicate that well-known anchors such as Anderson Cooper and Erin Burnett face uncertain futures, while some senior on-air personalities have reportedly been denied raises.
Over the years, Donald Trump has been relentless in his public criticisms of CNN, often using the network as a punching bag in his ongoing battle against mainstream media. He coined the term “fake news” largely in reference to CNN, frequently accusing the network of bias and suggesting that it was part of a “media conspiracy” against him and his supporters. Trump’s jabs included high-profile Twitter posts where he derided CNN’s reporting, especially during key moments of his presidency. In one memorable incident, he even shared a doctored video showing him physically attacking a figure with the CNN logo over its face—a tweet that quickly went viral among his followers.
Trump’s critiques intensified during his campaign rallies, where he often pointed out CNN journalists in the crowd, stirring his supporters to boo and jeer at them. He would call the network’s reports “dishonest” and “bad for America,” claiming it was losing touch with “real” American values. On several occasions, Trump mocked CNN’s ratings directly, boasting that his tweets and public comments drew larger audiences than the network. Even after leaving office, he continued his attacks, calling CNN’s viewership “in free fall” and suggesting that it was no longer relevant. For Trump and his supporters, CNN became a symbol of what they saw as a corrupt media establishment, with Trump’s mockery fueling ongoing scepticism and disdain toward the network in certain circles.
