CNN contributor vows to exit if incompetent Ellisons and their minions take over network

CNN contributor Kara Swisher vowed to leave the network if the Ellison family, whom she derided as “incompetent,” and their “handpicked minions” take over the network in the wake of Paramount’s $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros.Discovery.“With the CNN thing, well, you know my feelings on that,” Swisher said in a Tuesday episode of her podcast “Pivot,” with co-host Scott Galloway.

“I mean, I’m leaving as soon as I can.”The US Department of Justice has cleared the blockbuster media merger — which will combine Paramount Pictures, Paramount+, Warner Bros., HBO Max, CNN and CBS under one roof — though the deal is still awaiting approval from European Union and UK regulators.CNN staffers have reportedly been panicking over the acquisition, pointing to big shakeups at CBS News under Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss.Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison put her in the role with a mandate to bring more balance to the network, prompting concern similar changes are on the way at CNN if and when it comes under Paramount’s aegis.During the Tuesday podcast, Galloway voiced surprise at his co-host’s assertion.“You’ve been trying to talk me into doing s–t at CNN for 24 months!” he said.Swisher argued “that was before” Paramount won a bidding war for CNN parent WBD, which has left it unclear whether Weiss will eventually take over editorial operations at the network or whether current boss Mark Thompson will keep his role.“Let me try to outline it,” Swisher said.

“I don’t want to work for the Ellisons and I don’t want to work for their handpicked minions because I think they’re incompetent.”“And I love working with the people at CNN.I very much like Mark Thompson, and I hope they put him in charge because I think he would do a great job,” she continued. “I just don’t see any way that these people make good decisions and I don’t trust them.

That’s it.I don’t want to work for tech people,” Swisher added.

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