{"id":2579489,"date":"2026-03-13T11:14:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T15:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hegseth-wishes-paramount-ceo-will-overhaul-cnn\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T11:16:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T15:16:01","slug":"hegseth-wishes-paramount-ceo-will-overhaul-cnn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hegseth-wishes-paramount-ceo-will-overhaul-cnn\/","title":{"rendered":"Hegseth wishes Paramount CEO will overhaul CNN"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhegseth-wishes-paramount-ceo-will-overhaul-cnn%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2579489&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Washington Examiner reports that Pete Hegseth urged Paramount Skydance CEO David ellison to take over CNN as part of Paramount\u2019s planned merger with Warner Bros. Revelation, suggesting Ellison could dictate CNN\u2019s future news coverage. Hegseth made these remarks during a press conference on Iran, framing them as part of his broader critique of \u201cfake news\u201d media.<\/p>\n<p>The piece notes that the $110 billion deal woudl see Paramount seek to acquire CNN as part of the merger.Ellison, who led Skydance for 19 years, has said in a CNBC interview that CNN and CBS News would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pathetic-cnn-and-media-attempted-to-cover-for-islamic-extremists\/\" title=\"&#039;Pathetic&#039; ... and media attempted to cover for &#039;Islamic extremists&#039;\">remain separate brands<\/a> after the merger and that editorial independence would be maintained.The Trump governance is reportedly reviewing the merger, and if approved, the deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Hegseth wishes Paramount CEO will overhaul CNN in Warner Bros. merger<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2531458\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>War Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1991\">Pete Hegseth<\/a> said he would like to see <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/paramount\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"16440\">Paramount Skydance<\/a> CEO David Ellison take over <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cnn\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"732\">CNN<\/a>, and possibly dictate its future news coverage, in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-vows-consequences-if-netflix-doesnt-fire-susan-rice\/\" title=\"Trump vows &#039;consequences&#039; if Netflix doesn&#039;t fire Susan Rice\">entertainment company&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.<\/p>\n<p>His remarks were part of a broader attack on the &ldquo;fake news&rdquo; media as he held a press conference on the war with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"100\">Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4477563\/trump-brands-own-healthcare-reform\/\">The president brands his own healthcare reform<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4489266\/why-not-panican-over-oil-markets-iran-war\/\">Why I&#8217;m not &#8216;Panican&#8217; over oil markets<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4488056\/small-business-administration-war-on-fraud\/\">SBA launches new $50 billion &#8216;war on fraud&#8217; program<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Fake news from CNN <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/03\/12\/politics\/hormuz-trump-administration-underestimated-iran\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/03\/12\/politics\/hormuz-trump-administration-underestimated-iran\">reports<\/a> that the Trump administration underestimated the Iran war&rsquo;s impact on the Strait of Hormuz. Patently ridiculous, of course,&rdquo; Hegseth <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BulwarkOnline\/status\/2032443097964060946\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BulwarkOnline\/status\/2032443097964060946\">said<\/a> Friday morning. &ldquo;For decades, Iran has threatened shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This is always what they do, hold the strait hostage. CNN doesn&rsquo;t think we thought of that. It&rsquo;s a fundamentally unserious report.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4460164\/trump-endorsement-tracker-gop-2026-election-primaries\/\"><strong>TRUMP ENDORSEMENT TRACKER: HERE&rsquo;S WHO THE PRESIDENT HAS PICKED IN GOP MIDTERM ELECTION PRIMARIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>He then mentioned Paramount&rsquo;s potential future ownership of CNN.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<p>The admission is notable, considering the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"339\">Trump administration<\/a> is reviewing the pending merger.<\/p>\n<p>As part of the $110 billion deal, Paramount is seeking to acquire CNN in its purchase of WBD. The plan to take over CNN may resemble how Paramount overhauled <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cbs-news\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1807\">CBS News<\/a> last year after the network&rsquo;s parent company was acquired by Skydance. Ellison had led Skydance for 19 years before joining Paramount.<\/p>\n<p>In a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/03\/05\/cnbc-exclusive-transcript-paramount-skydance-ceo-david-ellison-speaks-with-cnbcs-squawk-on-the-street-today.html\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/03\/05\/cnbc-exclusive-transcript-paramount-skydance-ceo-david-ellison-speaks-with-cnbcs-squawk-on-the-street-today.html\">CNBC interview<\/a> last week, Ellison suggested CNN and CBS News would remain separate brands once the two parent companies combine.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Editorial independence will absolutely be maintained. It&rsquo;s maintained at CBS. It&rsquo;ll be maintained at CNN,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;And, really, who we want to talk to is the 70% of Americans and really around the world that identify as center-left, as center-right. And we want to be in the truth business. We want to be in the trust business. And that&rsquo;s not going to change.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> has frequently butted heads with CNN since his first term. David Ellison is the son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, a close Trump ally and major Republican donor.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4482526\/paramount-ellison-cnn-cbs-warner-bros-merger\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4482526\/paramount-ellison-cnn-cbs-warner-bros-merger\/\">PARAMOUNT CEO SUGGESTS CNN AND CBS NEWS TO STAY SEPARATE AFTER WARNER BROS. MERGER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The chief executive assured Trump that he would make &ldquo;sweeping changes&rdquo; to CNN while visiting the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8767\">White House<\/a> late last year, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/business\/media\/paramount-netflix-warner-bros-battle-ellisons-a86fe15c\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/business\/media\/paramount-netflix-warner-bros-battle-ellisons-a86fe15c\">according to<\/a> the <em>Wall Street Journal<\/em>. Paramount ultimately obtained a merger agreement with WBD last month after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/netflix\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1727\">Netflix<\/a> bowed out of the bidding war.<\/p>\n<p>Barring any holdups from the federal government or state attorneys general, the historic merger is expected to close in the third quarter this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hegseth backs Ellison to run CNN in Paramount-WBD deal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2579490,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26061510980619.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[50623,50402,4188,54802,44930],"class_list":["post-2579489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-cnn-2","tag-leadership-2","tag-media","tag-paramount-2","tag-pete-hegseth"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26061510980619.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2579489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2579489"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2579489\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2579493,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2579489\/revisions\/2579493"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2579490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2579489"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2579489"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2579489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}