Chris Licht’s tenure at CNN might go down as one of the most spectacular examples of what happens when a leader dares to poke the sacred cow of liberal orthodoxy in mainstream media. Now that he’s had time to reflect, Licht is generously sharing his insights—though it’s hard not to chuckle at his admissions and the media circus surrounding his ouster.
First, let’s get one thing straight: Licht was brought in to rescue CNN from its identity crisis. For years, the network had been a shrill, anti-Trump echo chamber under Jeff Zucker, hemorrhaging credibility faster than it was losing viewers. Licht’s mission, supposedly, was to restore journalistic integrity and rebuild trust with the American public. Admirable goals, sure. But as Licht himself discovered, trying to turn CNN into something resembling a neutral news outlet was akin to teaching a cat to fetch. Not impossible, but don’t hold your breath.
Chris Licht, the former CNN CEO, says getting trust into media institutions is critical.
“It is a measurable fact we lost the people,” Licht tells Stephen A. Smith. pic.twitter.com/7LSpSZzRFB
— NY Press Club (@NYPressClub) November 23, 2024
Licht’s downfall began with his biggest gamble—the Trump town hall. Critics howled, and CNN staff practically staged a mutiny. But guess what? Licht was right. Showcasing Trump wasn’t just good TV; it was an essential journalistic move.
Love him or hate him, Trump is a central figure in American politics. Pretending he doesn’t exist is an insult to the audience’s intelligence. Licht’s only misstep here? Not fully owning the decision. Trying to placate his perpetually aggrieved newsroom while attempting to win over moderates was never going to work.
Then there’s The Atlantic profile—a case study in hubris. Licht now admits he let his ego get the better of him, agreeing to a puff piece that backfired so spectacularly it should be taught in PR classes. Taking a reporter to the gym? Rookie move. Thinking the piece would validate his leadership after a single year? Pure delusion.
Licht’s candid acknowledgment of his missteps is refreshing, but it doesn’t negate the obvious: CNN’s staff wasn’t mad about his leadership style. They were mad that he tried to pull them out of their anti-Trump safe space.
Fast-forward to today, and what do we see? CNN is doubling down on the very antics Licht tried to move away from. The same cast of characters—Brian Stelter, Don Lemon, and Jeffrey Toobin—are back or lurking in the wings. Trump-bashing has resumed in full force, but viewers aren’t buying it. Ratings are abysmal, budgets are tight, and layoffs loom. Maybe the real problem isn’t leadership. Maybe it’s a network that’s lost sight of what journalism is supposed to be.
So, while Licht reflects on his failure to build trust, here’s a thought: maybe CNN’s trust problem isn’t about him. Maybe it’s about a network that refuses to change, no matter how much the audience—and the country—desperately wants it to.
Watch the full interview here:
