President Trump, in a live phone interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper on July 12, 2026, stated that his administration was working to put the network on a “normal path.” The remark came at the close of a call focused on the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham the night before.
Trump had agreed to the appearance to discuss Graham, a longtime ally. He declined to address other topics, including recent U.S. military strikes on Iran and the status of the Strait of Hormuz, citing respect for Graham. Near the end, Tapper invited the president back for a broader interview. Trump accepted, then added: “We’re trying to have CNN go on a normal path, and we’ll do that.”
Tapper replied, “Well, I’m on a normal path right here, sir, and I appreciate your time. And thank you for calling in.” He closed by saying the network would welcome Trump again.
The comment drew immediate criticism online. Viewers and commentators described Tapper’s response as insufficient pushback and accused the network of enabling presidential pressure on coverage. Critics argued that no sitting president should claim a role in directing a news organization’s “path,” with some suggesting CNN should “close its doors or merge with Fox” if it accepted such framing.
The timing amplified the reaction. In June 2026, the Justice Department approved Paramount Skydance’s roughly $110–111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, without requiring divestitures. The deal places CNN under ownership linked to David Ellison. Observers noted that regulatory approval of the merger gave the administration potential leverage over the network’s future, making Trump’s on-air statement about shaping CNN’s direction more consequential than a casual aside.
The exchange stood in contrast to earlier statements by Tapper that CNN’s role was not to please the president or limit reporting to preferred statements. The interview itself remained confined to Graham’s life and legacy, including Trump’s praise for Graham’s defense of Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 confirmation hearings.
