David Ellison Takes the Reins at CNN & Kara Swisher Zings Casey Newton’s Return to X
Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon PassantinoShow Notes
After completing his acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, David Ellison is facing questions about his relationship with Donald Trump and his plans for CNN. Jon shares what happened when he pressed Ellison directly on the Paramount lot, and Oliver reports on Anderson Cooper’s pointed questions for his new boss at an internal company town hall.
Oliver and Jon also examine what Ellison’s assurances mean for CNN chief Mark Thompson, whose long-term future remains unresolved, and how CNN and Bari Weiss’ CBS News could come together as the company pursues billions in cuts.
Plus, renowned tech journalist Casey Newton, co-host of the upcoming NPR podcast “Machine Gods,” joins the show to defend his decision to return to Elon Musk’s X after a three-year boycott. Oliver and Jon press him on what changed—and his “podmother,” Kara Swisher, delivers a surprise message you won't want to miss.
0:00 Intro
1:29 CNN and CBS News’ Future at Skydance
18:30 Anderson Cooper Questions David Ellison at Internal Town Hall
36:44 Casey Newton Grilled by Oliver, Jon, and Kara Swisher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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