Trump mourns Ted Turner's death, calls the CNN he built 'destroyed' by its new owners

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Wednesday, May 6, paid tribute to media executive Ted Turner following Turner’s death at the age of 87, describing him as “one of the Greats of All Time” and “one of the Greats of Broadcast History.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump reflected on Turner’s role in building CNN into the world’s first 24-hour news network while also criticizing the network’s direction after Turner sold it.

Turner, who founded CNN in 1980 and sold it to Time Warner in 1996, remained one of the most influential figures in global media and broadcasting.

Trump remembers Ted Turner as friend and broadcasting pioneer

Trump described Turner as both a personal friend and a major figure in American media, highlighting his role in reshaping television news. 

“Ted Turner, one of the Greats of All Time, just died,” Trump wrote. “He founded CNN, sold it, and was personally devastated by the Deal because the new ownership took CNN, his ‘baby’, and destroyed it.”

Trump said Turner’s influence on broadcasting was significant and remembered his personal support over the years.

“Regardless, however, one of the Greats of Broadcast History, and a friend of mine.” The president added, “Whenever I needed him, he was there, always willing to fight for a good cause!”

Turner launched CNN in 1980, introducing the first 24-hour cable news channel and transforming the way news was delivered globally.

The network gained worldwide prominence during its live coverage of the Gulf War, which established CNN as a major international news organization.

Beyond CNN, Turner expanded into sports and entertainment, including ownership of the Atlanta Braves and broader investments in cable television.

CNN and Ted Turner's legacy in media

In his tribute, Trump also criticized CNN’s direction after Turner’s departure, saying the network no longer reflected its founder’s vision. 

“It became woke, and everything that he is not all about,” Trump wrote. He also expressed hope for the company’s future under prospective ownership changes. “Maybe the new buyers, wonderful people, will be able to bring it back to its former credibility and glory.”

CNN responded to Turner’s death with its own statement, with network Chairman Mark Thompson describing Turner as a defining figure in the organization’s history.

“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement,” Thompson said. "He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN.”

Turner had previously reflected on the sale of CNN in later interviews, describing it as one of his major regrets and expressing a desire to see greater emphasis on “hard news and international news.”

His legacy extends beyond broadcasting into philanthropy, environmental advocacy, and sports, cementing his place as a transformative figure in modern media.