According to recent reports, CNN continues to face substantial challenges with its ratings. Its viewership recently plummeted to an all-time low for the key advertising demographic of 25-54-year-olds. CNN and many other mainstream media networks saw a significant drop in ratings following the election in November.
The embattled left-leaning news network reportedly averaged just 92,000 total day viewers in the 25-54-year-old demographic, which is highly sought after by advertisers. Furthermore, the figure follows a precipitous decline in ratings in the wake of President-elect Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, where viewership in the key advertising demographic has fallen 52 percent to 77,000 viewers.
Additionally, CNN’s overall primetime viewership has seen a 45 percent decline annually to an average of 405,000 viewers, representing only 11 percent of the cable news market. In contrast, Fox News Channel has continued to dominate the cable news market, capturing 72 percent of the total primetime audience, particularly in the key advertising demographic.
The American Tribune recently reported on former CNN host Don Lemon sparring with former soccer player John Will on the distrust of the media. “Who is the real president-elect, you think?” Lemon asked John while conducting street interviews in New York City. Will, who is also a TikTok influencer, appeared confused by Lemon’s question. “Donald Trump won, I believe,” John said.
Adding additional context to his question that left Will seemingly puzzled, Lemon said, “Democratic lawmakers in Washington are calling Elon Musk ‘President Musk’ now, and they’re saying Donald Trump is the vice president or the head of communication…” Clearly disagreeing with Lemon, John interrupted, “What? What? What — wait a second, no. No one said that,” John interrupted.
“Really? Have you not watched or pay attention to the news?” Lemon shot back. “Absolutely not. I’m paying attention to what I’m doing during my day, so I can try and get a better life and get ahead,” John said, slamming the mainstream media, which has seen it ratings tank following Trump’s decisive victory in the election. “Keep going,” Lemon quipped as John listed numerous legacy media outlets that he doesn’t trust, echoing a pervasive sentiment that many Americans hold.
“We don’t trust any of these. The common man doesn’t trust any of this,” John maintained, demonstrating how many believe the mainstream media is inaccurate and biased with their reporting. “I don’t trust any of these. I don’t trust any of them… We’re the common man. We don’t trust any of these. No one trusts the government. No one trusts the common news,” he continued.
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Further expounding on his argument about the lack of trust in the media, he said, “No one trusts the common news. We don’t trust any of that anymore. Independent news, we are the ones that own the news now. People trust me. They don’t trust MSNBC because I care, and I’m actually one of them.” Following this point from John, Lemon conceded, “I can’t disagree with you.”
Watch Lemon and Will “Goluremi” John below: