U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed billionaire Elon Musk as a potential leader for CNN in an interview with blogger Benny Johnson, calling him “a good man” who is “doing a good job.” The remarks followed reports that Musk invested $1 billion in Skydance, the parent company of CNN.
During the discussion, Trump expressed his preference for Musk’s leadership over current CNN management, stating he would have “liked it more than what is happening now.” The comments came as tensions escalated between the White House and media outlets following Trump’s September 18 announcement to revoke access to CNN, MS NOW, and Politico due to unfavorable coverage of his administration.
Trump later warned that other media outlets spreading “fake news” could face similar restrictions. Journalists from the White House press pool refused to replace the CNN team on September 21, citing solidarity with colleagues impacted by the revocation. While the White House lifted bans on some outlets in late September, CNN reported on October 5 that Politico journalists were barred from boarding the president’s plane.
The controversy intensified earlier this year when Trump criticized CNN journalist Jim Acosta, calling him “one of the worst, most dishonest reporters in the history of journalism” and a “capital nasty guy.” Acosta resigned from the network after 18 years following the backlash.
