Trump plays coy when pressed on Jared Kushner-backed Paramount bid for CNN's parent company

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump dished out what appeared to be a classic non-answer in the Oval Office on Monday, December 8.

The president is claiming he’s in the dark about Paramount’s aggressive bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, even though his own son-in-law Jared Kushner is bankrolling the blockbuster deal.

Trump grilled on Paramount bid

“Do you support the Paramount bid for Warner Bros?” a reporter asked.

“I don’t know enough about it,” Trump said.

The reporter wasn’t letting up, pointing out Trump’s fresh gripes about Netflix from the night before. "You spoke about Netflix last night, saying you have concerns about them,” they noted. 

The streaming giant is locked in exclusive talks for an $82 billion Warner Bros Discovery scoop, but is reportedly ditching CNN in the process. Meanwhile, Paramount honcho David Ellison is gunning for the full package that includes the cable news giant, hot on the heels of snagging CBS News.

“I know the companies very well. I know what they’re doing, but I have to see. I have to see what percentage of market they have. We have to see the Netflix percentage of market, Paramount, the percentage of market. I mean, none of them are particularly great friends of mine. You know, I just want to do what’s right. It’s so very important to do what’s right,” Trump insisted.

According to Paramount’s SEC filing, Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is pumping money into the bid via his private equity outfit. “The Paramount deal is supported by Jared Kushner, Mr. President. Would that impact your decision?” the reporter pressed.

“Yeah, Paramount is… I don’t know. I haven’t—I’ve never spoken to him, but he’s really trying to work on Gaza. I think Gaza’s his primary thing is Gaza,” Trump replied.

It's worth noting that Paramount’s bigwigs are cozy with Trump. David’s father, tech titan Larry Ellison, is tight with the president. The younger Ellison stepped up as Paramount CEO this year after merging with his Skydance Media. A top White House insider spilled that Larry and Trump even chewed over a potential Paramount buyout.

Potential CNN shake-up and Trump's mixed signals

For months, White House suits have been buzzing about who’d snap up Warner Bros Discovery, which owns CNN, since it hit the market this fall.

Insiders have floated the idea that a Paramount win could install firebrand journalist Bari Weiss at CNN’s helm, fresh off her gig running Paramount’s CBS. For them, it would be a win-win.

Trump has reportedly been telling his team that he would back a fresh face at the network that’s long been his punching bag.

“We’ve had great conversations with the president about this,” David boasted on CNBC when asked if Trump’s on board with Paramount snatching CNN. “But I think I don’t want to speak for him in any way, shape, or form.”

But it doesn't look like Trump is all in, considering he blasted Paramount on Monday for fumbling the iconic '60 Minutes' on CBS News.

“THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN THE OLD OWNERSHIP, who just paid me millions of Dollars for FAKE REPORTING about your favorite President, ME!” Trump raged on Truth Social, nodding to a $16 million payout from the prior owners to settle his lawsuit. “Since they bought it, 60 Minutes has actually gotten WORSE!”

A source in the know chalked it up to Trump blowing off steam over the show having former MAGA loyalist Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene on amid their ongoing beef, and not a direct slam on Paramount’s Warner Bros bid.