Former President Donald Trump told CNN anchor Jake Tapper during a phone interview Sunday that his administration is actively working to put the network “on a normal path,” comments that immediately drew criticism over press independence and editorial freedom.
Trump made the remarks during a call to discuss Senator Lindsey Graham’s death. He did not specify what he meant by the statement, but the comment quickly sparked concern among media observers and legal experts about potential government influence over news coverage.
What Trump Said
“We’re trying to have CNN go on a normal path, and we’ll do that,” Trump said during the call, according to a transcript of the conversation. Tapper thanked Trump for his time and invited him to return to the network but did not press for clarification on the statement.
Trump limited the call to discussing Graham’s passing and declined to answer other questions, including queries about U.S. military strikes on Iran. Tapper accepted these conditions without objection.
The Reaction
Critics quickly flagged concerns about a sitting president openly discussing efforts to direct a news organization’s coverage. Legal experts noted the timing coincided with pending regulatory approvals for Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns CNN, raising questions about potential leverage over editorial decisions.
Media observers pointed to the exchange as a contrast to comments Tapper made months earlier stating that CNN’s role “is not to try and please the president or only report the statements he likes.” Social media users and press freedom advocates characterized the interview as a failure of journalistic independence.
What This Means
The interaction raised broader questions about whether news organizations should accept conditions set by political figures seeking airtime. Some observers questioned the decision to avoid pushing back on Trump’s remarks during the live call.
