CNN Boss Ordered Teardown Censorship After V.I.P. West Wing Visit

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Source: Daily Beast

Updated Oct. 27 2025 11:00AM EDT
Published Oct. 27 2025 5:44AM EDT


CNN chief Mark Thompson reportedly told the cable network’s reporters to ease up on coverage of the controversial destruction of the East Wing—after he had a V.I.P. visit to the White House. Although denied by CNN, the report from the Status newsletter appears to be the latest example of media bosses bending the knee before the Trump administration.

The historic White House East Wing was bulldozed last week to make way for President Donald Trump’s $300 million vanity project, a 90,000-square-foot ballroom that will be more than twice the size of the rest of the White House. The teardown prompted widespread outrage. Among those criticizing the demolition of the 1902 structure were Chelsea Clinton, who said Trump was taking a “wrecking ball to our heritage,” and Ronald Reagan’s daughter Patti Davis, who called it “heartbreaking” and “complete destruction.”

Status reported that Thompson had a private meeting at the White House last Wednesday. It says staff at the network were “taken aback” when he suggested during a daily network editorial call the next morning that CNN ease up on its reporting of the East Wing’s demolition. Thompson also said CNN viewers were not that interested in the story, according to two people familiar with the matter cited in the Status story.

A YouGov America survey last week showed that 50 percent of people disapproved of the White House refurbishment, and that 53 percent were against the East Wing being torn down. Only 24 percent of the 2,000 people polled approved of Trump’s ballroom designs.

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/cnn-boss-mark-thompson-told-reporters-to-ease-up-on-teardown-coverage-after-white-house-visit/