On New Year’s Eve 2025, actress and comedian Whitney Cummings made an unexpected splash on CNN’s special broadcast, using her platform to deliver a dose of humor while poking fun at both CNN’s struggling ratings and the embattled Democratic Party. Her witty remarks left the audience laughing while pointing out the obvious cracks in the network’s credibility and the political landscape.
As Cummings stood alongside CNN hosts Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper in New York City’s Times Square, the comedian made a subtle yet sharp remark about her growing popularity. With a smirk, she said, “I thought being a mom would mean less people want to come see me. Now I’m playing like 3,000-seat theaters, which is about the viewership of CNN these days.” The line, a clever jab at CNN’s plummeting ratings, instantly landed with the audience, though Cummings quickly added, “Not this show, though! All eyes are on this show,” attempting to steer the conversation away from the awkward truth.
Her joke comes as no surprise considering the dismal performance of CNN’s viewership, which has become a common topic of conversation among media analysts. In recent months, the left-leaning news outlet has seen its ratings tank after years of fervently attacking former President Trump, followed by a brief, unsuccessful attempt at impartiality, and then a return to its hostile coverage of Trump even after his re-election.
According to reports, CNN’s struggles are staggering. The network has lost more than half its viewership in the coveted 25-54 demographic, with only 92,000 daily viewers—a significant drop from the network’s previous numbers. Overall, CNN’s primetime ratings have plummeted 45 percent, capturing a meager 11 percent of the cable news market. Meanwhile, Fox News continues to dominate, holding a commanding 72 percent of the primetime audience, particularly in the highly competitive advertising demographic.
Cummings wasn’t done with her sharp remarks, though. She couldn’t resist taking a swipe at the 2024 presidential election and the Democratic Party’s handling of its aging candidate. The comedian humorously noted that the Democrats spent more time propping up President Biden than actually campaigning for him, commenting, “The 2024 election fried our brains. The Democrats couldn’t hold a primary because they were too busy holding a body upright.”
The joke about President Biden’s deteriorating condition resonated with many viewers, as Cummings accurately highlighted the growing concerns surrounding the 80-year-old president. Her quick-witted humor even prompted Cohen to quip, “Go for it,” as she continued her barrage of political jokes.
Cummings didn’t stop there. She took another jab at the Democrats’ handling of their vice president, Kamala Harris, making light of the party’s decision to push her as the vice presidential candidate despite her lackluster performance. “It was amazing. The pro-choice party didn’t give their voters one when it came to the presidential candidate. Kamala [Harris] was forced on us so hard, you’d think she was patented by Pfizer—or Moderna…” Cummings’ jab left the crowd in stitches, and even Cohen seemed momentarily unnerved by her audacity.
Whitney Cummings’ appearance on CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast was a masterclass in comedy, combining humor with insightful commentary on the state of both the media and the political establishment. As CNN continues to struggle with its identity and declining viewership, it’s clear that Cummings’ ability to speak truth to power—while making everyone laugh—is a welcome breath of fresh air in a landscape increasingly dominated by political correctness and corporate media spin.
