**WASHINGTON** — President Donald Trump said on CNN that his administration is trying to put the network on a “normal path,” a remark that quickly drew criticism over press independence.
Speaking by phone Sunday with anchor Jake Tapper, Trump said, “We’re trying to have CNN go on a normal path, and we’ll do that.” Tapper replied, “Well, I’m on a normal path right here, sir, and I appreciate your time. And thank you for calling in.”
Trump called in to discuss the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham and declined to take questions on other topics, including recent U.S. strikes on Iran. Tapper did not press those limits and closed by saying, “We would love to have you back sometime.”
The exchange triggered a sharp reaction online. Viewers accused Tapper of being too deferential. One commenter said it is not the president’s role “to direct the ‘path’ any news organization follows,” and that if CNN accepted that premise it should “close their doors, or officially merge with Fox.” Another wrote that Trump was “admitting they are trying to control the media.”
Critics tied the comments to the Justice Department’s recent approval of Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company. They argued that a president talking about steering a network while his administration holds leverage over its owners raises questions about editorial independence.
The moment also contrasted with Tapper’s earlier on-air statement that CNN’s job “is not to try and please the president or only report the statements he likes.” Sunday’s interview, critics said, tested that standard.
