What is it with CNN and sex scandals?
That’s right: If you can believe it, the increasingly irrelevant news network has been rocked by yet another sex scandal.
This time, it’s Jeff Zucker, the President of CNN, who abruptly resigned over a “consensual” relationship with a colleague.
Interestingly, disgraced CNN host Chris Cuomo, who himself is in embroiled in a sexual harassment controversy, implicitly threatened Zucker weeks ago by implying the CNN President was apparently aware of the lengths Cuomo had taken on behalf of his brother, disgraced former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who also resigned due to serious sexual harassment allegations.
Of course, these would be the same individuals that eviscerate Trump’s alleged misogyny.
Speaking of Trump, the former president ironically suspected that Zucker would be kicked out of CNN weeks ago, hinting at the real reason as to why.
“Word is that CNN and its new owners want Jeff Zucker out,” Trump wrote, “not only because of the turmoil of Fredo [Chris] Cuomo, the Don Lemon (‘the dumbest man on television’) escapades, and so much else, but primarily because his ratings have gone to an all-time low, and the so-called ‘network’ is rudderless.”
No surprise that Zucker’s resignation was equally “rudderless,” stunning multiple employees during a typical midmorning workday.
In a highly unanticipated e-mail sent to staff, Zucker abruptly resigned over an “evolved” relationship with a colleague.
“As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo’s tenure at CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years. I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today,” Zucker wrote.
Needless to say, his resignation came across as a bit … abrupt.
CNN’s Oliver Darcy, for instance, remarked that various staffers were “in absolute shock” after Zucker’s announcement.
“Staffers inside CNN are in absolute shock right now. Employees at the company learned of Zucker’s sudden departure all at once via a company-wide email that went out just after 11am,” Darcy commented.
While the staffers at CNN may be in shock, Jason Kilar, the CEO of CNN parent company WarnerMedia, apparently isn’t, given his remarkably terse remarks on Zucker after his departure.
“I have accepted Jeff Zucker’s resignation as Chairman of WarnerMedia News and Sports, and President of CNN Worldwide. We thank Jeff for his contributions over the past 9 years,” Kilar remarked coldly.
Well then.
Doesn’t seem like Zucker made too many illustrious contributions with that kind of “send off” after nine years of so-called service. Kilar didn’t even bother to insert a phony adjective, such as “lifechanging” before “contributions” in his comments.
In fact, it almost seems like Kilar has been planning for Zucker’s ouster over the past several weeks, as clearly the connection to the Cuomo clan and other shady behavior became too much to bear.
Especially when CNN’s ratings have careened off a cliff. That’s what Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) or other variants of “orange man bad” tend to result in.
“We will be announcing an interim leadership plan shortly,” Kilar continued tersely, “both of these organizations are at the top of their respective games and are well prepared for their next chapters.”
So, CNN’s tanking ratings represent the network being “at the top” of its game? That’s an interesting diagnosis.
Sounds a bit delusional, actually, though Kilar clearly wasn’t delusional enough to kick an ultimately ineffectual, Trump-obsessed Zucker to the curb.
Much to Trump’s delight.
“Jeff Zucker, a world-class sleazebag who has headed ratings and real-news-challenged CNN for far too long, has been terminated for numerous reasons, but predominantly because CNN has lost its way with viewers and everybody else,” Trump proclaimed.
Once again, Trump says it like it is – no speechwriter or other White House handlers needed, which is clearly the case with blundering Biden.
“That’s great news for America,” Trump continued, “maybe CNN can be brought back to what it was in the good old days of the legendary Ted Turner. Jeff will always bomb, just as he did at NBC years before!”
While Trump may be a tad optimistic about CNN returning to its previously “legendary” status, it certainly has improved by ridding itself of the Cuomo connection …
Author: Ofelia Thornton