United States President Donald Trump has paid tribute to the late media mogul Ted Turner, while simultaneously taking aim at the current state of CNN. In a post on Truth Social shortly after Turner's death was announced, Trump lauded the CNN founder as one of the greatest figures in media history.
Trump Criticizes CNN's Evolution
However, Trump used the tribute to attack the network's trajectory under subsequent ownership. He claimed that after Turner lost control following the merger of Turner Broadcasting and Time Warner, the network changed for the worse. Trump wrote that Time Warner 'destroyed' CNN by making it 'totally woke,' arguing that the network became the antithesis of what Turner originally envisioned. He also suggested that upcoming ownership changes could alter the network's direction once again. CNN is currently part of Warner Bros. Discovery, which was recently acquired by Paramount in a deal reportedly worth more than $100 billion.
A Warm Ending Despite Criticism
Despite his sharp criticism, Trump concluded his message on a warm note, calling Turner a 'friend' and noting that he had always supported him when needed. Turner, however, was widely known for his liberal political views, particularly later in life. He publicly supported environmental causes, advocated for population control, and backed Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election against Trump. At the time, Turner described Clinton as 'the most qualified individual to run this country.'
Turner also stirred controversy in 2006 when he argued that Iran possessing a limited number of nuclear weapons would not necessarily pose a major threat—a stance sharply at odds with the Trump administration's hardline position on Iran.
Legacy of a Broadcasting Pioneer
Turner died on Wednesday, May 6, after a long battle with dementia. He was 87 years old. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern broadcasting, having founded CNN, the world's first 24-hour television news network. His legacy as a pioneer in the industry remains undisputed, even as opinions about his network's current direction diverge.
