Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino CNN Braces for David Ellison and Bari Weiss to Take Control After WBD Shocker
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Feb 27, 2026 A breakdown of the dramatic bid battle that handed a major news network to a MAGA-aligned buyer and the political pressure that reshaped the deal. A look at who might run the network next and why staffers are worried about editorial changes. A combative long-form interview that forces a politician to backtrack on casualty claims. A conservative commentator publicly called out by a fellow pundit.
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White House Pressure Shifted The Warner Bros Outcome
- Netflix withdrew after a White House push and antitrust pressure shifted political approval toward David Ellison and Paramount.
- Ted Sarandos' meetings at the White House and DOJ preceded Netflix's decision to stop raising its offer for Warner Bros Discovery assets.
CNN Staffers Fear Rapid Political Recasting
- CNN staffers are panicking because David Ellison is seen as a Trump ally who will reshape the network.
- Staff texts read “we are doomed” after Ellison, who sought similar changes at CBS, looked set to acquire CNN.
Ellison Openly Promised To Reorder CNN
- Ellison publicly signaled he discussed CNN with Donald Trump and implied intent to change its editorial direction.
- That prospect alarms anchors who expect personnel purges and editorial shifts to favor MAGA-friendly voices.