David Ellison backs CNN’s Trump lawsuit, pledges editorial independence

Key Points:

• David Ellison, new owner of CNN through the Warner and Paramount merger forming Skydance, affirmed his support for CNN’s legal action against the Trump administration regarding White House access and pledged not to interfere with editorial independence.
• At a town hall introducing Skydance, Ellison emphasized his commitment to journalism as vital to democracy and highlighted plans to invest in films, shows, new technology, and expanding CNN’s digital reach to over 200 million streaming subscribers.
• Ellison acknowledged concerns about the Ellison family’s ties to former President Trump but reassured employees of trust in CNN leadership and the importance of fact-based news.
• CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and Ellison discussed the ongoing First Amendment lawsuit against Trump’s attempt to ban certain news outlets from the White House, with Ellison expressing full support for restoring access.
• Ellison indicated that integration between CBS News and CNN, now under related corporate ownership, would begin within 120 days, though no immediate decisions have been made.