Former President Donald Trump told CNN anchor Jake Tapper on Sunday that his administration is actively working to direct the network’s coverage, raising questions about press independence.
Trump phoned into CNN to discuss Senator Lindsey Graham’s death and made the statement without qualification or hesitation. “We’re trying to have CNN go on a normal path, and we’ll do that,” Trump said during the call. Tapper did not challenge the remark and thanked the former president for calling.
What Trump Said
The former president’s statement came during a Sunday interview with the CNN anchor. Trump made his comments about CNN’s editorial direction while discussing other matters on the network.
Tapper concluded the call by saying, “Well, I’m on a normal path right here, sir, and I appreciate your time. And thank you for calling in.” The anchor did not press back on Trump’s characterization of CNN’s coverage.
The Reaction
Social media users quickly criticized both Trump’s statement and Tapper’s response. Viewers accused Tapper of failing to defend editorial independence and suggested CNN was capitulating to political pressure.
Media analysts raised concerns about the relationship between political power and news coverage. A sitting president openly stating he is working to influence a news network’s direction marks a significant moment in discussions about press independence.
What This Means
The timing of the remark coincided with the Justice Department’s approval of Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company. Critics noted that Trump’s comments carried additional weight given his administration’s involvement in the merger approval.
Tapper had previously stated on air that CNN’s role “is not to try and please the president or only report the statements he likes.” Sunday’s exchange appeared to contradict that principle.
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting team contributed to this report.
