Daily News 19

Tag: CNN

  • Sources: Kara Swisher Quitting CNN Deal Over Ex Nellie Bowles

    Sources: Kara Swisher Quitting CNN Deal Over Ex Nellie Bowles

    Key Highlights

    • Kara Swisher announced on her “Pivot” podcast Tuesday that she has instructed her agent to negotiate an early exit from her CNN contract.
    • The contract is currently scheduled to run through the end of 2026.
    • The move signals a potential shift in Swisher’s media commitments amid ongoing changes in the digital journalism landscape.

    Swisher Seeks Early Departure from CNN Agreement

    Veteran technology journalist and podcast host Kara Swisher revealed Tuesday during an episode of her “Pivot” podcast that she has formally requested her agent to begin negotiations for her release from her current contract with CNN. The announcement marks a significant development in the media commentator’s relationship with the cable news network, where she has served as a contributor and host.

    Contract Timeline and Negotiation Status

    According to Swisher’s on-air disclosure, her existing agreement with CNN is set to expire at the end of 2026. By directing her representation to pursue an early termination, Swisher is initiating a process that could see her depart the network well before the contract’s natural conclusion. The specific terms of any potential buyout or negotiated exit have not been publicly detailed, and CNN has not issued a formal statement regarding the request.

    Context Within Swisher’s Media Portfolio

    The “Pivot” podcast, which Swisher co-hosts with Professor Scott Galloway, remains a flagship property in her expanding audio portfolio. The show’s focus on technology, business, and politics has cemented its position as a leading voice in tech journalism. Swisher’s request to leave CNN comes as she continues to develop her independent media ventures, including her work with New York Magazine and Vox Media’s Recode brand, which she co-founded.

    Why This Matters

    Swisher’s potential departure from CNN reflects broader tensions in the media industry as high-profile journalists navigate the balance between institutional affiliations and independent platforms. Her move could influence how legacy news organizations structure talent contracts in an era where personality-driven podcasts and newsletters often command audiences rivaling traditional broadcast slots. The outcome of these negotiations will be watched closely by media analysts tracking the shifting power dynamics between established networks and creator-led media enterprises.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When does Kara Swisher’s CNN contract currently expire?

    Swisher’s contract with CNN is officially scheduled to run through the end of 2026.

    What platform did Swisher use to announce her contract negotiation?

    She made the announcement during a Tuesday episode of her “Pivot” podcast, which she co-hosts with Scott Galloway.

    Has CNN responded to Swisher’s request for early contract termination?

    As of the announcement, CNN had not issued a public statement regarding Swisher’s request or the status of negotiations.

  • Jon Stewart Reacts to Trump’s White House Ban on CNN

    Jon Stewart Reacts to Trump’s White House Ban on CNN

    Key Highlights

    • Donald Trump banned CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from the White House, prompting sharp criticism from Jon Stewart on The Daily Show.
    • Stewart challenged Trump to “try presidenting better” instead of banning press outlets, using satire to highlight constitutional concerns.
    • The clash underscores escalating tensions between the Trump administration and major news organizations over coverage and press access.

    Trump’s White House Press Ban Sparks Late-Night Rebuke

    Former President Donald Trump recently escalated his long-running feud with the mainstream media by issuing a White House ban targeting several prominent news organizations, including CNN, MSNBC, and Politico. The move, which restricts access for outlets that have frequently criticized his administration, drew an immediate and scathing response from Jon Stewart during a segment on The Daily Show. Stewart, known for his incisive political satire, used the moment to frame the ban not as a defense against bias but as an avoidance of accountability.

    Stewart’s Satirical Counterpoint: “Try Presidenting Better”

    Reacting to footage of Trump declaring, “there’s something wrong with a country that can allow people to write purposely negative stories,” Stewart fired back with a mix of mockery and constitutional warning. “Have you tried presidenting better?” Stewart responded. “You could ban the press, or you could be a better f***ing president? I mean, give the press something to work with.” He then offered a sarcastic “positive story” to illustrate the absurdity: “I never thought my car could take $140 worth of gas in such a small tank! I had no idea. Hurrah.”

    Stewart did not stop at performance metrics. He pivoted to a grave constitutional critique, asking, “And not for nothing, have we ever had a president just flat out in the Oval Office come out against the Constitution? What kind of a sick country doesn’t allow unlimited warrantless search and seizure? I mean, that’s not the North Korea I grew up in.” The remark inverted authoritarian rhetoric to underscore what Stewart framed as the administration’s own drift toward anti-democratic impulses.

    Why This Matters: Press Freedom and the 2024 Campaign

    The exchange highlights a deepening fracture between political power and the fourth estate as the 2024 presidential cycle intensifies. Trump’s strategy of delegitimizing critical coverage — labeling it “fake news” and now restricting physical access — mirrors tactics used by authoritarian leaders to insulate themselves from scrutiny. Stewart’s response, amplified through a major late-night platform, signals that cultural influencers continue to frame press freedom as a frontline democratic issue. For voters, the standoff raises questions about transparency, accountability, and whether a president can govern effectively while treating independent journalism as an adversary.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which news outlets were banned from the White House by Donald Trump?

    According to the report, CNN, MSNBC, and Politico were among the outlets banned from the White House by Donald Trump.

    What was Jon Stewart’s main argument in response to the ban?

    Jon Stewart argued that instead of banning critical press outlets, Trump should “try presidenting better” and provide the press with legitimate positive achievements to cover, while also warning that the move represents a constitutional threat.

    Where can viewers watch Jon Stewart’s full reaction?

    The segment aired on The Daily Show, and viewers can sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter for more late-night highlights.

  • Exclusive: I won’t run against Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom tells CNN

    Exclusive: I won’t run against Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom tells CNN

    California Governor Gavin Newsom opened up about a potential 2028 presidential bid, his relationship with Vice President Kamala Harris, and the personal calculus behind seeking the White House during an extensive fly-fishing interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper in Montana.

    A Conversation on the Bitterroot River

    The setting was unconventional by political journalism standards: waist-deep in the frigid Bitterroot River on the Bitterroot Springs Ranch near Stevensville, Montana. Tapper, who pitched the “Out of Office” longform concept to several political figures including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, wanted to move beyond studio interviews. The goal was to discuss childhoods, parents, tougher moments, and biggest successes in an environment where the subject felt comfortable. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has also agreed to participate in the series.

    Despite Tapper’s self-described “horrible fly-fishing form,” the hours spent driving around the ranch and standing in the water loosened up the typically polished politician. The conversation ranged across decades of public life, touching on Newsom’s dyslexia, failed first marriage, past affair, his mother’s assisted suicide, a close friend’s intervention, the governor’s race, COVID-19 challenges, and confrontations with President Donald Trump.

    Newsom on Harris and the 2028 Field

    Top of mind was whether Newsom runs for president in 2028. A key variable is who else enters the race, specifically former Vice President Kamala Harris, a fellow San Francisco Democrat.

    “I don’t know if she runs, but we’ll see,” Newsom told me. “I wouldn’t run if she ran.”

    Tapper noted frank surprise at the definitive statement.

    “Why would I?” he said. “I wouldn’t do that to her. I wouldn’t do it to me. … I won’t waste everyone’s time. Who needs that?”

    Newsom elaborated on the political mechanics of such a scenario.

    “First of all, electorally it’s a gift from God for everybody else,” he explained. “They’d enjoy the hell out of it. Mutual assured destruction. It services no greater good. Why would I do this if I wasn’t trying to serve some greater good? There would be no upside whatsoever.”

    When pressed on the counterargument—that Harris ran in 2019 without reaching 2020 and lost the 2024 general election—Newsom conceded the point but stood firm.

    “That would be the case you’d make,” he acknowledged. “Pretty good one, actually. That’s objectively true. But I know what that means. I know her base of supporters, I know her friends, the (Venn) diagram on that is just pure crossover … I wouldn’t do that to people. I wouldn’t put them in that position … Every other Democrat is praying for that, and every other Republican is gonna pray for that. And that’s just not gonna happen.”

    The ‘Why’ Behind a Presidential Run

    How does a politician decide to run for the highest office? Newsom described an ongoing personal process.

    “I have no experience in this process, so I’m going through it,” Newsom said.

    Tapper noted some observers wished Newsom had challenged President Joe Biden in 2024.

    “I wasn’t ready,” he said. “First of all, I wouldn’t do that. And second, if I did, I would have gotten crushed because I didn’t have a why. You don’t have big enough why, then you don’t belong there.”

    “It’s shocking how many presidential candidates can’t answer their why. Like, shocking,” he continued. He said he’d seen “leading candidates over the last few cycles that are there for the wrong reasons. Or no reason at all, which is the worst. So, you’ve got to have a big enough why.”

    Family as the Final Veto

    After reflecting on his personal and professional journey, Newsom signaled a shift in perspective.

    “I am not screwing anything up anymore, man. I know what matters in life. I got four kids, it’s the only thing that matters to me.”

    His wife and school-aged children hold veto power over a White House run.

    “If they’re not on board, that’s a non-starter.”

    Meeting the Moment

    Back in the flowing water, checking his hook and casting upstream at signs of reluctant fish, Newsom outlined the signs that might actually make him run.

    “You just have to meet the moment. You got to be honest with yourself. Do you represent the zeitgeist in the moment, or are you wasting everybody’s time?” he said.

    “I’m not here to make a point. I want to make the difference, and you can make a difference in a lot of ways in life.”

    The full “Out of Office” report with Gavin Newsom streams Tuesday on CNN All Access starting at 8 a.m. ET.