CNN collapses as viewers abandon anti-Trump coverage


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If you examine cable news viewership trends closely enough, you will find reasons for both optimism and concern.

The overall picture, however, remains positive when considering the complete scope of President-elect Donald Trump’s triumph over his CNN critics.

Recent data from the U.K.’s Daily Mail reveals a staggering 94 percent decline in CNN’s viewership since they launched their campaign against Trump in 2016. The network, which once commanded 13.3 million prime-time viewers, now struggles to maintain an audience of 800,000.

This downward spiral was evident during the recent 2024 election coverage. CNN managed only 5.1 million viewers, trailing behind MSNBC’s 6 million, while Fox News dominated with 10.3 million viewers.

These dismal numbers explain recent reports of impending mass layoffs at CNN, including on-air personalities.

The network still maintains prominent Trump critics like Jim Acosta and Jake Tapper, alongside establishment figures Anderson Cooper, Dana Bash, and Kaitlan Collins. Cooper commands a hefty $20 million annual salary, while Collins earns $3 million.

This presents a challenging dilemma for new CEO Mark Thompson: persist with the costly anti-Trump stance or pivot toward more balanced coverage?

However, there’s a concerning aspect to this situation. While CNN isn’t beyond redemption, with voices like Erin Burnett showing occasional fairness and conservative commentator Scott Jennings gaining prominence, viewer migration patterns are troubling.

Liberal audiences shifting to MSNBC suggest a preference for unfiltered bias over CNN’s occasional attempts at balanced reporting. Unlike CNN, which sometimes features diverse viewpoints through contributors like Jennings and Burnett, MSNBC offers consistently partisan coverage through hosts like Joy Reid and Rachel Maddow.

This viewer preference for echo-chamber journalism poses challenges for meaningful dialogue, though Trump’s victory over CNN’s opposition remains noteworthy.

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