Rosie O’Donnell Calls David Ellison’s Potential CNN Takeover Tragic and Didn’t Hold Back

Media consolidation stories rarely spark this much passion from Hollywood’s outspoken figures, but the ongoing upheaval at some of America’s most prominent news outlets has become impossible for industry insiders to overlook. With corporate mergers and notable editorial appointments, the television journalism landscape has been rapidly evolving throughout the year.

Rosie O’Donnell has always been candid about her views on the entertainment industry, and the latest developments in this media consolidation saga are no exception. In a recent interview, the comedian and talk show veteran expressed her concerns regarding Paramount Skydance owner David Ellison’s potential bid to take over Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes CNN among its assets.

O’Donnell described the possible deal in stark terms, labeling it “tragic” and likening the shift to Fox News becoming the industry norm rather than an outlier. “It would be like Fox taking over all news channels. Imagine if Fox was not one outlier and Fox was the mainstay? That’s what’s happening with Hollywood now and the Ellisons, and it’s tragic,” O’Donnell stated, speaking to Variety.

She specifically pointed to the changes already occurring at CBS News following Ellison’s earlier acquisition of Paramount, highlighting the network’s flagship program ’60 Minutes’ as a prime example of what she fears could happen across the industry. “Look at what’s happened to CBS News and ’60 Minutes,’ which was the gold star of their entire network, and they blew it up,” O’Donnell continued, again addressing Variety.

Her comments also touched on Bari Weiss, the journalist Ellison appointed as editor-in-chief of CBS News after Paramount’s acquisition of her outlet, The Free Press, for a reported $150 million. O’Donnell did not hold back regarding Weiss’s role in the changes she described, expressing her disbelief at how Weiss could reconcile her involvement.

O’Donnell went further, using a historical analogy to convey her feelings about those she believes are aligning themselves with Ellison’s vision for these newsrooms, cautioning that history would remember everyone’s choices and associations during this time.

These comments come amid a broader wave of criticism from media figures regarding the direction CBS News has taken since Weiss’s appointment, including delayed segments and editorial decisions that some former staffers and current insiders have labeled as politically motivated. Weiss’s hiring followed a tumultuous period for CBS News, which included a $16 million settlement in a lawsuit brought by President Trump over a ’60 Minutes’ interview.

Ellison’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, reportedly valued at $111 billion, would expand his influence over CNN and HBO if approved, following his earlier Paramount-Skydance merger. That previous deal already drew scrutiny, including a Democratic-led investigation into potential anti-bribery concerns related to assurances made to federal regulators during the approval process.

O’Donnell’s remarks contribute to a growing chorus of entertainment and media figures who have publicly criticized the direction of these consolidations, including HBO’s John Oliver, who previously targeted both Ellison and Weiss over the CBS News changes. While the fate of the Warner Bros. Discovery deal remains uncertain, the discussion regarding its potential impact on CNN’s editorial independence shows no signs of abating.

As the potential merger continues to navigate regulatory channels, industry observers and vocal critics alike are likely to keep a close watch on how these changes unfold across the broader media landscape.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!