CNN CEO Mark Thompson last week faced staff pushback during a recent internal all-hands meeting over the on-air behavior and rhetoric of conservative contributor Scott Jennings.
According to Newsbusters, staff questioned why the network has not restricted Jennings—a frequent Trump supporter known for heated exchanges with guests—particularly his use of the term "illegal aliens," which violates CNN's editorial guidelines for journalists (though contributors face different standards, per Thompson's response).
Concerns centered on Jennings' tone, described as rude, dismissive, and antagonistic in spats, including a clash with guest Cameron Kasky on NewsNight where Kasky challenged his language. The episode highlights tensions at CNN amid broader uncertainties about its future under potential ownership changes.
#DealWithIt -- According to Oliver Darcy, someone whined and whined to CNN's Mark Thompson at the company town hall, demanding to know why @ScottJenningsKY is allowed to exist there...
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 30, 2026
“Later in the town hall, Thompson fielded a range of other questions, including why in-house…
Staff echoed sentiments like those from Kasky, who claimed Jennings could not use a term embedded in U.S. immigration law.
Critics like Democratic operative Julie Roginsky have argued Jennings adds little beyond conflict-driven clips, calling his approach bad-faith theatrics rather than substantive debate—ironically mirroring the dismissive traits some attribute to his liberal opponents who struggle to engage him rationally.