In yet another sign of shifting tides inside legacy media, CNN anchor Rahel Solomon announced she is leaving the network—abruptly closing the chapter on a four-year run at the struggling cable giant.
During Monday’s broadcast of her early-morning program, Solomon informed viewers that this week would be her last at CNN. With little fanfare and even fewer details, she confirmed she’s stepping away to pursue a “new chapter,” though what that entails remains unclear.
“I have decided that this will be my last week at CNN,” she said during her sign-off, offering a polished farewell typical of network exits. “More to come on what’s next for me, but I’m really excited about this next chapter.”
Solomon, 37, has served as a business correspondent and most recently as the anchor of CNN’s 5 a.m. program *Early Start*, a slot that reflects both the network’s attempt to rebuild its morning lineup and the grueling demands placed on its on-air talent. The show, launched in 2025, was positioned as a key part of CNN’s weekday programming—but like much of the network’s output, it struggled to break through in a crowded and increasingly fragmented media landscape.
Her departure comes at a time when CNN continues to grapple with declining trust, sagging ratings, and a broader identity crisis that has plagued many legacy outlets. While Solomon largely avoided the overt political commentary that has defined some of her colleagues’ reputations, she still operated within a network environment often criticized by conservatives as out of touch with everyday Americans.
To her credit, Solomon built a reputation as a steady and competent business journalist. After joining CNN in April 2022, she quickly found herself covering some of the most consequential financial stories in recent memory, including the 2023 collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the emergency takeover of Credit Suisse. Those high-stakes assignments helped elevate her profile within the network and ultimately led to her promotion as a full-time anchor.
But behind the scenes, the demands of the role were significant. Anchoring a pre-dawn program is no easy task, and Solomon took on the responsibility while navigating major life changes, including her marriage in 2024 and the birth of her child in 2025. She returned from maternity leave in December of that year—only to now step away less than a year later.
In her farewell, Solomon struck a gracious tone, thanking colleagues and viewers alike. “I am so proud to have worked here alongside you,” she said, adding that it had been “an honor” to serve as a business correspondent. She emphasized that her exit is not the end of her career, but rather a transition. “This is truly not goodbye, but see you soon,” she told her audience.
CNN responded with a standard corporate send-off, praising her contributions and expressing support for her decision. “We are grateful to Rahel for all her contributions to CNN over the past four years and are supportive of her decision,” a spokesperson said.
Still, her departure raises familiar questions about the future of traditional media institutions. As viewers increasingly turn to alternative platforms for news and analysis, networks like CNN are finding it harder to retain both audiences and talent.
For Solomon, the move may represent a strategic pivot at the right time. For CNN, however, it’s another quiet exit in a period marked by ongoing uncertainty—and a reminder that even its rising stars may be looking elsewhere for opportunity.
