Donald Trump is paying tribute to a pioneer while also slamming his former company. Ted Turner died on Wednesday morning, surrounded by his family at the age of 87. Online, Trump called the media mogul “a friend of mine.”
While he had kind words for the CNN founder, the POTUS also seemed to take a subtle shot at the network he made famous. A merger in the early 2000s led to Ted’s departure from the company. Ted had been dealing with a form of dementia since 2018. He was also hospitalized with pneumonia in January 2025.
Trump’s questionable post remembering the late Ted Turner
No matter the circumstances, Trump can’t seem to show sympathy without a little criticism. In his Truth Social post, Trump called Ted one of the “Greats of All Time.” He adds that whenever he needed him, Ted was there, “always willing to fight for a good cause!”
While his post was filled with kindness towards Ted, Trump didn’t only have sunshine and rainbows to preach online. He got into the merger that essentially drove Ted out of CNN, saying it was devastating for the late philanthropist. The POTUS added that he hoped the soon-to-be new owners of CNN could “bring it back to its former credibility and glory.” David Ellison, a public supporter of the President, is preparing to take over the network.
As we have become accustomed to seeing, even sombre situations don’t deter the POTUS from sharing his true feelings. That’s been evidenced in many deaths of late, including that of famed Hollywood actor and director Rob Reiner. Trump mocked him online following his stabbing death in December. In March, he expressed his joy when hearing of former FBI Director Robert Mueller’s death.
Although the President remembered Ted as an ally, Ted was a prominent liberal in his later years. He supported numerous environmental causes while arguing in 2006 that allowing Iran to have a few nuclear weapons wasn’t a problem. He also lent his support to Trump’s 2016 adversary, Hillary Clinton, declaring she was the most qualified person to run the country.
TELL US – DID YOU FIND PRESIDENT TRUMP’S POST ABOUT TED TURNER AND CNN TO BE OUT OF LINE?
