CNN employees are speaking out against what they call a humiliating shift in the network's direction. Insiders claim executives are deliberately paying contributors to push pro-Trump narratives, leaving longtime journalists embarrassed and disillusioned as newsroom morale continues to crumble.
Employees are outraged that executives are paying individuals to "kiss Trump's ass" and worry that the network, which touts itself as "the most trusted name in news," is leaning to the right in order to attract viewers.
We've heard rumors that things have become so terrible under new CEO Mark Thompson-who is accused of currying favor with the White House-that some employees are embarrassed to work there.
Longtime CNN staffers, who are actual journalists, are ashamed when Jim Acosta, one of Trump's most outspoken on-air opponents, announced his departure from the network on Tuesday following his promotion to graveyard shift, according to a source who spoke with Page Six.
Supposedly, conservative commentator Scott Jennings, who appears frequently on Abby Phillip's "CNN NewsNight" roundtable show at 10 p.m., is driving staff members crazy with his support for the Democratic National Committee.
"They pay him to kiss Donald Trump's ass... Some of the editorial people don't even want their names associated with it, but [CNN brass] think it's good television and encourage it. It's embarrassing," the insider exclaimed.
In place of Acosta, CNN veterans Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown will host the "CNN Newsroom" broadcast at 10 a.m.
Before Acosta opted not to accept his new timeslot and fled the network, he was scheduled to work the graveyard shift.
Trump said on social media, "Jim Acosta, one of the worst and most dishonest reporters in journalistic history, a major sleazebag, has been relegated by CNN Fake News to the Midnight hour, 'Death Valley,' because of extraordinarily BAD RATINGS (and no talent!)." He added, "Word is that he wants to QUIT, and that would be even better. Jim is a major loser who will fail no matter where he ends up. Good luck Jim!"
Acosta joins a long list of prominent CNN presenters who have left the network in recent years due to its "struggles to define its voice." This includes Chris Cuomo, Don Lemon, Aliyson Camerota, and Poppy Harlow.
Based on their treatment of Acosta, according to a source, it's obvious that they're giving in to Trump. Cohesion is lacking.
Furthermore, they mentioned that everyone is furious about the last wave of layoffs.
Worse yet, the network has suffered through multiple waves of layoffs, the most recent of which occurred this week, and is seeing terrible ratings overall.
According to a third source, the layoffs were expected because people had been quite disgruntled for quite some time.
A third source went on to say that many in the television industry are aware that there are methods to program around the incoming Trump administration in order to attract viewers under the current circumstances.
Yet, they said, individuals are unhappy because they are working and not pursuing their passions.
Somewhat surprisingly, we have heard that they despise their positions to the point where they even miss the days of the controversial boss Chris Licht, whom Thompson succeeded.
People were happier under Chris, according to the third source, because he was less involved with the programming than Thompson is.
While a fourth source did admit that CNN faces its fair share of difficulties, similar to other media businesses in the midst of this historical upheaval, they also highlighted CNN's greatest strength: its exceptionally dedicated, enthusiastic, and industrious staff.
