Hegseth: I Can’t Wait for CNN’s New Owner

At a Pentagon briefing on Friday about the war with Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized CNN’s coverage and made an unexpected comment about the network’s future ownership. He said the channel would be better off once David Ellison takes control, referring to the planned acquisition involving Ellison’s Paramount Skydance and CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.

The remark is expected to heighten concerns within CNN and the broader media industry. Some observers worry that Ellison, who is known to have a friendly relationship with President Trump, could guide the network’s reporting in a way that is more supportive of the White House.

Ellison has rejected the idea that political influence would affect the network’s journalism. In an interview with CNBC last week, he said CNN’s newsroom would remain independent and free from interference. He noted that editorial independence has been preserved at CBS and said the same approach would apply at CNN. Ellison purchased CBS last year and appointed journalist Bari Weiss as editor in chief of CBS News. Her leadership has drawn criticism both inside and outside the company, especially after a 60 Minutes segment that was critical of the Trump administration was postponed.

During the briefing, Hegseth also pushed back on a CNN report claiming the Trump administration underestimated how the Iran conflict could affect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. He called the report false and said Iran has threatened maritime traffic in the area for decades, arguing that such risks have long been understood by U.S. officials.

Hegseth, who previously worked as a Fox News host, also criticized the tone of television news graphics covering the conflict. He suggested that instead of negative headlines, networks could highlight what he described as Iran’s growing desperation.

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