In a move that’s sure to stir the media world, CNN is reportedly preparing to axe hundreds of employees, including some of its biggest on-air personalities. As the network struggles with plummeting ratings following the election, the left-leaning news outlet is said to be reevaluating its approach, with top-paid anchors possibly heading for the chopping block.
Sources close to the matter, including Wall Street Silver, are speculating that CNN’s upcoming layoffs will target high-profile figures who have long commanded hefty salaries. Among those rumored to be in jeopardy are some of CNN’s biggest stars, like Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer, who have seen their paychecks soar to $7 million and $3 million, respectively. Even Anderson Cooper, the network’s flagship personality, has been reaping a staggering $20 million a year for years now.
Other on-air talents, including Kaitlan Collins and Erin Burnett, who reportedly earn $3 million and $6 million per year, may also face the axe as CNN’s new CEO looks to trim the fat amid dismal viewership numbers. As CNN’s dominance in the ratings continues to erode, executives are said to be rethinking their programming strategy to survive in a rapidly changing media landscape.
The news comes on the heels of growing concerns over CNN’s reliability and bias in recent years, particularly among conservatives who have increasingly turned to alternative news sources. Social media reactions have been swift, with many expressing disdain for CNN’s left-wing leanings and its reliance on expensive, high-paid anchors who have done little to stem the tide of sinking ratings.
One user voiced frustration with the network, saying, “The public has voted that those individuals are not valued for their talent. May CNN fire them and sink anyway since they’ve already shown the public they cannot be trusted. Trust takes decades to build and seconds to lose.”
The sentiment was echoed by others who suggested that CNN’s financial troubles were the result of its overt partisanship and failure to provide unbiased, substantive reporting. “If I were @CNN, I’d refocus on becoming a source of reliable, factual information delivered in a non-biased manner,” one commenter proposed. “It’s not just the on-air personalities’ problem. It’s their entire news-aggregation apparatus that needs an overhaul. Less ideology & partisanship, more substance!”
The criticism continued to pour in, with another user noting, “They had a good run during the election but with everyone seeing their blatantly biased reporting, more and more people have been driven to alternative media… and that’s only going to further accelerate now.”
Perhaps the most biting remarks came from a user who mocked CNN’s high salaries, saying, “Oh, CNN’s about to clean house? Talk about ‘draining the swamp!’ Looks like all those multimillion-dollar salaries didn’t buy ratings, and now it’s time to lay off the ‘top talent.’” The same commenter turned their attention to Anderson Cooper’s lavish compensation, adding, “With $20 million a year, I guess Cooper can finally take a ‘well-deserved’ break. Just think about how many times he could’ve bought a house with that kind of cash… too bad it wasn’t spent on better content. Maybe next time, they’ll learn: it’s not about the salary, it’s about the credibility!”
While the network is scrambling to figure out its next move, CNN’s post-election struggles serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing celebrity anchors over genuine journalistic integrity. As ratings continue to drop and distrust in mainstream media grows, it seems the network’s decision to go all-in on left-wing rhetoric may have cost them the audience they once commanded. If the rumors are true and CNN does indeed fire its top talent, it may just be a case of “too little, too late” for a network whose credibility has already taken a major hit.
As CNN moves forward with its layoffs, the question remains: will the network use this as an opportunity to reset and focus on real journalism, or will it continue to double down on its left-leaning ideology, leaving viewers with no choice but to look elsewhere for their news? Only time will tell.
