CNN will reportedly cut hundreds of jobs just as President Donald Trump begins his second term in office, reflecting the network’s ongoing financial troubles.
Key Facts:
- Mark Thompson, CNN’s CEO, will inform staff of the layoffs on Thursday.
- The move reportedly spares CNN’s top on-air personalities under contract.
- Testimony in a recent lawsuit showed CNN’s value fell from $4.4 billion in 2021 to $2.3 billion in 2023.
- Revenue declined from $2.2 billion in 2021 to $1.8 billion in 2023.
The Rest of The Story:
CNN has been dealing with financial setbacks and falling viewership in recent years.
Both Puck and CNBC say the news giant is preparing a round of significant layoffs, though it remains unclear which departments will be most affected.
Some staffers are disheartened and frustrated, recalling a time when CNN was seen as more financially stable.
The timing of these cutbacks, within days of President Trump’s return to the White House, has raised questions about the network’s current trajectory.
A defamation lawsuit involving CNN and a Navy veteran put the network’s finances under public scrutiny.
During the trial, an economist outlined CNN’s declining worth and a sharp dip in revenue.
Though the case ultimately settled, insiders say it only added to a tense atmosphere, fueled by stiff competition and changing consumer habits around how people watch news.
While CEO Mark Thompson has been vocal about the need for strategic overhauls, critics worry continuous staff reductions could weaken CNN’s core journalistic mission.
Voters soundly rejected the Leftstream Media’s twisting of facts last November, but the Associated Press didn’t get the message.
Americans ditched lying CNN and MSNBC’s Inauguration coverage for streams on X and YouTube.
Legacy Media is dying—for good reason. pic.twitter.com/PemQFdTiZ3
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) January 23, 2025
The potential loss of specialized employees, producers, and reporters may affect the depth and speed of the network’s coverage.
Whether the job cuts are a simple matter of balancing books or part of a broader shift in the cable news landscape, it’s clear CNN faces an uphill battle to regain the financial standing it once enjoyed.
Commentary:
In our view, CNN has brought this situation on itself by relying too heavily on biased reporting.
Instead of presenting facts, the network often pushes a particular narrative that alienates viewers looking for more neutral coverage.
Had CNN stayed committed to balanced journalism, it might have maintained higher viewership and avoided its current financial predicament.
When viewers lose trust in a news outlet, the impact on its bottom line can be severe.
By doubling down on coverage many see as partisan or sensational, CNN allowed others to step in and capture the audience that remains eager for straightforward news.
A transparent effort to rebuild credibility could still save the network, but these layoffs show how serious the damage has already become.
HOLY COW!!! Congressman Tim Burchett just ended CNN live on air.
Jim Acosta: "This is CNN. This is the news."
Burchett: "And that's why more people are watching the cartoon network, Spongebob reruns right now." 😂🔥
Well done, Congressman. pic.twitter.com/nIsv6iEod8
— George (@BehizyTweets) January 22, 2025
The Bottom Line:
CNN’s decision to reduce its workforce underscores the tough market conditions facing the network and the broader media industry.
The company’s finances have taken a clear hit, and cost-cutting measures appear necessary in the short term.
How these layoffs will affect the quality and breadth of CNN’s reporting remains uncertain.
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