Pete Hegseth Urges Ellison to Take Over CNN After Iran War Coverage

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News weekend anchor and current Pentagon head under President Trump, has publicly criticized CNN's coverage of the Iran war.

Hegseth called the network's reporting 'fake news' and expressed strong support for Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

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Hegseth made these remarks at a March 13 press conference, targeting CNN's March 12 report about the Iran war.

The CNN report claimed U.S. defense officials 'failed to fully account for the potential consequences' of Iran's disruption of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway largely controlled by Iran that serves as a major artery for global oil and gas exports.

Hegseth specifically urged that 'the sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.'

CNN's controversial report published March 12 alleged that 'the Pentagon and National Security Council significantly underestimated Iran's willingness to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. military strikes while planning the ongoing operation.'

The report cited multiple sources familiar with the matter.

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The report specifically claimed that Trump's national security team 'failed to fully account for the potential consequences of what some officials have described as a worst-case scenario now facing the administration.'

This worst-case scenario referred to skyrocketing fuel prices and economic disruption.

CNN later appended a clarification to the article, noting that while top Trump administration officials briefed lawmakers on long-standing military plans, multiple sources said there was 'no indication there were any near-term solutions.'

This reporting has been supported by other outlets, with The New York Times reporting that President Trump 'downplayed the risks to the energy markets as a short-term concern.'

The Pentagon under Hegseth has implemented significant restrictions on press access.

“Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is rooting for David Ellison‘s Paramount Skydance to close its $111 billion deal to acquire CNN parent Warner Bros”

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These restrictions have led to about 30 major news organizations including Fox News, The Washington Post, and Reuters losing their credentials.

Defense officials have invited in new outlets during this shift in media access.

This has raised concerns about press freedom and the administration's relationship with the media.

The Iran war coverage controversy comes amid Reuters/Ipsos polling showing little public support for the conflict.

Americans are particularly concerned about potential gasoline price increases.

Trump has publicly called for the new owner of CNN to either sell the asset or shut down the network.

CNN has firmly defended its reporting, with a spokesperson stating 'We stand by our reporting' in response to Hegseth's criticism.

The network emphasized that its only interest is 'in telling the truth to our audiences in the U.S. and around the world'.

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CNN stated that 'no amount of political threats or insults is going to change that' approach to journalism.

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison has maintained that editorial independence will be maintained at both CBS and CNN post-merger.

Ellison told a CNBC interview that 'It's maintained at CBS. It'll be maintained at CNN' and that the company wants to be 'in the truth business'.

However, CNN staff have expressed fears that Paramount Skydance will steer the network's coverage to be less critical of President Trump.

These concerns are heightened by Ellison's acquisition of The Free Press and his appointment of former New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News editorial.

This appointment reportedly caused significant turmoil within the organization, with one departing producer noting stories may be 'evaluated not just on their journalistic merit, but on whether they conform to a shifting set of ideological expectations'.