CNN’s new president discouraged staffers from calling former President Donald Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was stolen “the big lie,” according to a new report.
Chris Licht, who is a little more than a month into his tenure as leader of CNN, made his preference known during a conference call on Tuesday, Mediaite reported Wednesday.
The report stressed it was not a mandate. As an alternative, Licht encouraged producers to use “Trump’s election lie” or “election lies” in graphics and banners.
BIDEN TURNS ON NEWS MEDIA AS MIDTERM ELECTIONS LOOM
A source told the news outlet that Licht reasoned that use of “the big lie” embraces language favored by the Democratic Party and hurts the cable news network’s air of objectivity.
The Washington Examiner reached out to CNN for comment.
Trump and his allies have argued there was widespread fraud and irregularities in the 2020 election, though those claims have been roundly rejected by election officials and the courts.
Licht, who was previously the showrunner and executive producer of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, was selected to replace former CNN President Jeff Zucker in February.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
This was after Zucker resigned amid an investigation that found evidence of an affair he had with CNN executive Allison Gollust. Zucker’s resignation came less than two months after CNN anchor Chris Cuomo was fired for helping his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, respond to sexual assault allegations.
Licht entered the picture at CNN with reports saying he was eager to dial down partisanship at the network. He has already sought to make some changes, including one a few weeks ago when he instructed staff to ease up on the use of the “breaking news” banner.
