David Ellison breaks silence on 'MAGA' accusations as CNN takeover battle intensifies
NEW YORK, NY: David Ellison has publicly addressed mounting accusations that he intends to steer two of America's biggest news organizations toward a pro-Trump editorial direction, breaking his silence as his proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery faces growing political and legal scrutiny.
In a New York Times opinion piece, the Paramount Skydance CEO rejected speculation about his political loyalties and insisted journalists at CNN and CBS News would remain independent if the blockbuster deal is completed.
His remarks come as critics increasingly question whether one executive should oversee both networks amid allegations that CBS has already shifted editorially under his leadership.
Ellison rejects political accusations
Ellison framed the controversy as less about antitrust concerns and more about whether Americans believe he can be trusted to oversee CNN, one of the country's most influential news organizations.
"There has been speculation about my politics, my loyalties, my intentions," he wrote, arguing that he has supported candidates from both major parties over the years and does not intend to shape news coverage around his personal beliefs.
Instead, Ellison pledged that CNN and CBS News would continue operating independently, saying journalists should answer "to the facts and to all the people they serve, not to any party or cause." He also promised continued investment in traditional reporting, arguing that professionally reported journalism is becoming even more valuable in an era increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and algorithm-driven content.
CBS changes fuel fresh scrutiny
Ellison's comments arrive after months of criticism surrounding changes inside CBS News following his appointment of Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press, as editor-in-chief.
The network has undergone significant editorial and personnel changes, particularly at 60 Minutes, where several high-profile departures prompted allegations from critics that newsroom priorities had shifted. Former correspondent Cecilia Vega alleged management encouraged claims that could not be fully verified, while others questioned whether editorial decisions increasingly favored the Trump administration and Israel.
Those concerns intensified after reports that Ellison hosted President Donald Trump at a private Washington dinner attended by Weiss, prompting some CBS staff members to worry about perceptions of political closeness between company leadership and the administration.
Merger battle moves beyond business
Ellison's public defense comes as the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition enters a more contentious phase. Although the Justice Department cleared the transaction earlier this year, a coalition of 12 states has sued to block the merger, arguing it would reduce competition across television, streaming and entertainment.
Critics, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, have argued the transaction would further concentrate media ownership, while Paramount insists the legal challenge is without merit and says it will vigorously defend the deal.
With CNN's future now central to the debate, Ellison's first detailed response shifts the conversation beyond corporate finance to a broader question of public trust. Rather than defending only the economics of the merger, he is now attempting to convince audiences, regulators and journalists alike that editorial independence, not ‘political influence’ would define the next chapter of two of America's most recognizable news brands.
