Donald Trump has come under fire after paying tribute to late media mogul and WCW founder Ted Turner while simultaneously using the statement to attack CNN following Turner's death at the age of 87. Turner's passing was confirmed on Wednesday via a statement from Turner Enterprises. The broadcasting billionaire had revealed in 2018 that he was living with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder, and had been hospitalized earlier in 2025 with a mild case of pneumonia before recovering at a rehabilitation facility.
Trump's Tribute Draws Criticism
Following Turner's death, Trump posted a tribute on Truth Social, but the message quickly drew backlash online due to its criticism of CNN. Trump wrote: "Ted Turner, one of the Greats of All Time, just died. He founded CNN, sold it, and was personally devastated by the Deal because the new ownership took CNN, his 'baby' and destroyed it. It became woke and everything that he is not about. Maybe the new buyers, wonderful people, will be able to bring it back to its former credibility and glory. Regardless, however, one of the Greats of Broadcast History, and a friend of mine. Whenever I needed him, he was there, always willing to fight for a good cause!"
Social media users were quick to react, with many criticizing the inclusion of political commentary within a tribute. One commenter wrote: "Focus on honoring Ted Turner's incredible legacy as a media pioneer who founded CNN and transformed the news landscape, without including any politics. RIP Ted Turner." Another added: "Can he ever talk about somebody without talking about himself? Is that like a possibility in his life to actually focus on someone else for a little while besides himself?" A third post read: "Even in death, Trump can't resist turning a legend's eulogy into a campaign rant. Ted Turner built empires, revolutionized news, and shaped modern media while you were still stiffing contractors. A true icon deserves better than your petty 'woke' score settling on the day he passes. Classless. RIP to a pioneer, not a prop for your grudges."
Ted Turner's Legacy in Media and Wrestling
Beyond founding CNN and building one of the most influential media empires in modern broadcasting, Turner remains a pivotal figure in professional wrestling history. In 1988, he acquired Jim Crockett Promotions and transformed it into World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Under Turner's ownership, WCW became the only company in the modern era to consistently beat Vince McMahon's WWF in television ratings, defeating Raw for 83 consecutive weeks during the height of the Monday Night Wars.
Turner's impact extended far beyond wrestling. CNN launched in 1980 as the world's first 24-hour cable news network, revolutionizing television news, especially during its coverage of the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991. His broadcasting empire later expanded to include TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies. He also owned the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, and Atlanta Thrashers NHL franchise.
The Monday Night Wars and WCW's Rise
Within wrestling, Turner's willingness to compete directly with WWF changed the industry permanently. After asking former WCW executive producer Eric Bischoff what it would take to challenge WWE, Turner approved the creation of WCW Monday Nitro in 1995, launching the show directly opposite Monday Night Raw on TNT. The rivalry produced some of wrestling's defining moments, including Hulk Hogan's heel turn and the rise of the nWo faction featuring Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall. WCW's momentum eventually collapsed following the AOL-Time Warner merger in 2001, when new Turner Broadcasting leadership canceled WCW programming, leading to WWF purchasing the company's assets, intellectual property, and video library later that year.
Trump's History with Wrestling
Trump has long maintained ties with the wrestling industry and WWE. Trump Plaza became the first venue to host consecutive WrestleManias when it staged WrestleMania IV and WrestleMania V in 1988 and 1989 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with Trump himself appearing on camera during both events. His relationship with wrestling continued for decades through various WWE appearances and public support for the industry, making his reaction to Turner's death particularly notable given WCW's historic rivalry with WWF during the 1990s.
