CNN staffers are on edge after news that David Ellison’s media company, Paramount Skydance, plans to buy their parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, for $111 billion.

Many worry that Ellison’s ownership often seen as friendly to Trump could push CNN toward a more conservative angle, turning it into a “Fox News 2.0.”

Their concerns are fueled by Ellison’s past move of bringing Bari Weiss, founder of Free Press, to lead CBS News, a decision that reportedly caused major upheaval at the network.

Bari Weiss, known for her sharp critiques of “woke” reporting in major news outlets, is expected to take on a leadership role at CNN once the Paramount-WBD merger is finalized.

Her time at CBS News, where she ran editorial operations, was marked by missteps that stirred tension and chaos within the newsroom, according to Variety.

Even flagship programs like “60 Minutes” felt the strain, with staffers complaining that stories were being shaped to fit a predetermined angle.

The unrest reached a tipping point when longtime correspondent Anderson Cooper chose to leave the show after 20 years.

David Ellison, the new owner of CNN following the Paramount-Skydance merger, is making one thing clear: he isn’t here to turn the network into a political tool.

In a recent CNBC interview, Ellison was asked point-blank if CNN would shift its tone to please the Trump administration. He shot down the idea, promising that the newsroom will remain independent.

His strategy is to move away from political extremes and focus on the 70% of viewers, the "middle ground" and who just want the facts.

By emphasizing "truth and trust," Ellison aims to restore the network’s reputation as a world-class news brand that answers to the public, not to politicians.

David Ellison is not just changing the news; he’s changing how you watch it.

His goal is to move CNN beyond the old "cable-only" model and put it on every screen you own.

Whether you prefer traditional TV, a laptop, or a phone, Ellison wants to "meet consumers where they are."

This strategy involves a major investment in streaming to make sure CNN stays relevant as people move away from cable packages.

While the network’s previous attempt at a streaming service, the famous "CNN+" which collapsed in less than a month back in 2022, Ellison is taking a different approach.

By focusing on the current "All Access" features, he’s betting that giving viewers more ways to watch will finally turn CNN into a modern digital powerhouse.

Despite the corporate promises, CNN staffers are on edge, and the reason is Bari Weiss.

Last year, David Ellison bought Weiss’s digital outlet, The Free Press, for $150 million and named her Editor-in-Chief of CBS News.

Since then, her "online-first" strategy at CBS has caused major friction. Even though traditional TV still brings in the most money, Weiss has pushed hard toward digital content, leading to internal clashes and high-profile departures.

Now, CNN employees fear the same "CBS blueprint" is coming for them. They worry the network’s legacy of hard news will be traded for a more opinionated, digital-heavy style.

For many, Ellison’s promise of independence feels like a polite mask for a looming identity crisis.