Hegseth says he's eager for Ellison to take over CNN, fueling anxieties over changes at cable network

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In remarks that are likely to stoke concerns through the corridors of CNN, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Friday he is looking forward to Paramount’s ownership of the network.“The sooner David Ellison takes over that network the better,” Hegseth said during a morning briefing.Hegseth’s invoking the name of the Paramount Skydance chief executive — whose company will take control of CNN once its deal to merge with Warner Bros.Discovery is finalized — amplified the fear many have that the cable news channel will seek to appease the Trump administration.The typically combative Hegseth made the remarks after blasting CNN’s reporting on the U.S.

military action in Iran.CNN said the Trump administration underestimated the impact its attack would have on the Strait of Hormuz, echoing the claims of other media outlets.

Oil tankers have been unable to get through the passage due to attacks by Iranian drones, escalating gas prices as a result.“CNN doesn’t think we thought of that,” Hegseth said.“It’s a fundamentally unserious report.” Hollywood Inc.

Job cuts and pressure to placate Trump loom over major changes in store for two TV news organizations that will be combined under Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros.Discovery.Paramount declined to comment on the remarks by Hegseth, a former Fox News host who has a lot of experience in bashing the mainstream media.

A CNN representative said the network stands by its reporting.Trump has a friendship with Ellison’s father, Larry, and the two have reportedly discussed changes to CNN once Paramount takes ownership.But it’s the rare time such expectations have been offered up publicly by a top member of the administration.Trump, who has long expressed disdain for CNN, expressed his preference for Paramount to prevail over Netfilx in its pursuit of Warner Bros.

Discovery so that CNN would be in the hand...