Shakeups at CNN have Anderson Cooper fans in a tizzy, as they ponder the beloved anchor’s future on the fraught network.
CNN’s recent Town Hall with former president (and renewed presidential candidate) Donald Trump was subject to widespread backlash, with viewers blasting it as soft and nothing but a repeat of past mistakes. The first time he ran for president, Trump was far too often given a platform from which to spout endless lies, with little pushback or correction to keep him on course.
The Town Hall damaged CNN’s reputation, which has already been spiraling thanks to lies — and a few truths — spouted by Trump and his ilk. Even Cooper, a longtime staple of the network, criticized CNN’s decision to not only allow Trump a platform, but to rarely push back on his false narrative. Lies, interrupted by the occasional racist remark, bigoted quip, or hateful tirade, have always been the name of Trump’s game, and if CNN thought its early May Town Hall would see a different side of him, it was sorely mistaken.
The aftermath of that ill-advised Town Hall has seen CNN come under increasing fire, as longtime viewers question the network’s quality, and well-positioned leaders eye the end of their careers. News that Chris Licht’s brief but chaotic run as chairman is officially over, with the CEO ousted from his position in early June, is sparking concerns of a major shake-up over at CNN, with Cooper’s future thrown into doubt.
Is Anderson Cooper leaving CNN?
Massive company restructuring over at CNN has the network under a lens, as its fans and detractors wonder what comes next for its most visible members. While few people are mourning the loss of former CEO Chris Licht, far more audience members would mourn the loss of Anderson Cooper, who’s been a staple of the network’s programing for more than 20 years.
As of June 7, Cooper is still attached to his longtime network. No reports have emerged that the beloved anchor is set to depart, but his fans won’t fully relax until Cooper confirms his continued tenure for himself. He, like the rest of us, has been disappointed in some of CNN’s decisions in recent weeks and months, but as one of the better parts of the network, enduring CNN viewers would like nothing more than for him to stick around. He continues to elevate the CNN brand, and losing him could damage the network irreparably.
For now, at least, Cooper is still one of CNN’s vital backbones, and his programs — including Anderson Cooper 360 and The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper — pull in a huge number of viewers on a weekly basis. CNN would be foolish to part ways with the popular anchor, but if it keeps making mistakes like that deeply unpopular Town Hall, he might just make the choice to leave all on his own.
