Trump Praises Ted Turner as a "Legendary Figure" While Criticizing CNN's Current Direction

On Wednesday, former President Donald Trump responded to the passing of Ted Turner, the visionary behind CNN, with a heartfelt message on Truth Social. This message was later amplified by the official White House account on X, shortly after the news broke.

Turner passed away at the age of 87, surrounded by family. Reports indicate he had been battling dementia and pneumonia for several years.

In his statement, Trump lauded Turner as a "legendary figure of all time" and referred to him as a personal friend: "He was always there for me, ready to fight for a worthy cause," Trump expressed.

However, Trump's message extended beyond tribute. He seized the opportunity to criticize CNN's editorial direction following its sale. Trump noted that Turner was "heartbroken" by the sale, as the new owners had dismantled what he considered his "baby." He claimed CNN had become "woke," embodying values Turner did not stand for.

The former president expressed optimism that the new proprietors—whom he referred to as "wonderful people"—might restore the network's "former credibility and glory."

This remark gains particular significance given the current context: In May 2026, Paramount Skydance reached an agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery—the parent company of CNN—for about $110 billion, positioning the network within a new media conglomerate.

Trump's post garnered over 274,000 views, 9,700 likes, and 1,800 retweets within hours, underscoring the news's impact.

Robert Edward Turner III, known as Ted Turner, was born on November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio. On June 1, 1980, he founded CNN, the world's first 24-hour cable news network, a pioneering force that reshaped global journalism.

In 1996, he sold Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner in a deal valued at $7.5 billion, though he never hid his regret over relinquishing control of his network.

In October 2018, Turner publicly revealed his diagnosis of Lewy body dementia, describing it humorously as "a mild case of what people have as Alzheimer's," admitting he sometimes forgot the name of his illness.

Beyond CNN, Turner built a media and sports empire: He owned the Atlanta Braves—who clinched the 1995 World Series—and the Atlanta Hawks, launched TNT in 1988, Cartoon Network in 1992, and Turner Classic Movies in 1994.

In 1997, he donated $1 billion to UN causes, establishing the United Nations Foundation, which, by 2022, had mobilized nearly $2 billion in direct support to the organization.

Mark Thompson, CEO of CNN Worldwide, paid homage to the founder with a statement encapsulating his legacy: "Ted is the giant upon whose shoulders we stand."

The Atlanta Braves also bid farewell on social media, describing Turner as "one of a kind: a brilliant entrepreneur, consummate showman, and passionate fan of his beloved Braves."

The relationship between Trump and CNN has historically been fraught with tension: Trump coined the term "Fake News" to criticize the network and often referred to it as the "Clinton News Network."

Nonetheless, in his statement on Turner's death, Trump made a clear distinction between the founder—whom he praised as a visionary and friend—and the editorial direction the network took after its sale, using the occasion to reiterate his criticisms of the current CNN while honoring the man who founded it.