CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker, the powerful news executive who reshaped the iconic network, announced his resignation effective immediately on Wednesday morning.
Zucker's shocking announcement came less than two months after firing prime time anchor Chris Cuomo for improperly advising his brother, then-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, on how to handle sexual misconduct allegations.
In a note to workers, Zucker said, "As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo's employment at CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years." "I recognized that our connection had changed in recent years. I was supposed to tell you about it when it started, but I didn't. I was mistaken. As a result, I'm stepping down today."
Zucker did not name his partner, but it is Allison Gollust, who has been his major deputy for the past two decades. Gollust is still employed by CNN.
In 1998, Zucker and Gollust started working together at NBC. They progressed through the ranks at the network together, and Gollust was one of Zucker's first employees when he joined CNN. Prior to joining CNN, Gollust worked as Andrew Cuomo's communications director for a short time. She currently serves as CNN's executive vice president and chief marketing officer.
Gollust remarked in a statement of her own, "For almost 20 years, Jeff and I have been close friends and business colleagues. During COVID, our connection shifted recently. We didn't reveal it at the appropriate moment, which I regret. I'm really pleased of my time at CNN and look forward to continuing the excellent job we do on a daily basis."
The news of Zucker's resignation sent shockwaves across CNN and the industry as a whole. Before Zucker's email arrived in their inboxes soon after 11 a.m. ET, CNN staffers had no idea what was in store.
On Wednesday morning, shortly before announcing his departure, Zucker spoke with some of CNN's top executives. He expressed an interest in staying on for a short time to assist with the transition, but WarnerMedia had other plans.
According to two people familiar with the situation, Zucker was on the verge of being fired if he did not quit.
Some of Zucker's direct subordinates were out of the office and travelling on Wednesday, highlighting how unexpected the news was.
Kilar, who went to New York to manage the transfer, took over the Wednesday meeting with Zucker's senior executives that he regularly has.
Kilar will also speak with workers in Washington and Atlanta, according to a source.
Discovery and WarnerMedia are in the midst of combining. Many media analysts believed Zucker would be promoted after the purchase was finalised. This isn't the only reason the network is at a crossroads: CNN is gearing up to launch CNN+, an ambitious streaming service, in the spring, and it also needs to replace Cuomo at 9 p.m.
Jason Kilar, the CEO of CNN parent WarnerMedia, stated in an email to colleagues on Wednesday afternoon that three senior executives will run CNN until the merger with Discovery is completed: Michael Bass, Amy Entelis, and Ken Jautz.
""I am certain that as temporary heads of News, Michael, Amy, and Ken will offer the leadership our organisation requires during this period of change," Kilar said, adding that staff will "hear more" from the three executives "in the coming days."
In 2013, Zucker took over CNN with Gollust on his leadership team, at a time when industry watchers claimed the network was experiencing an identity crisis.
The network's programming was overhauled by Zucker. Zucker brought an eye for news and talent from his time at NBC, where he rose from a producer on the "Today" show to president of the whole network. He also introduced a hands-on management approach to the network, earning the trust and respect of talent and workers alike.
In recent years, Zucker has steered the network through a series of attacks from former President Donald Trump and his followers. CNN adopted a "Facts First" tagline and journalistic strategy under Zucker, and was unflinching in pointing out Trump's lies.
Zucker became a villain for Trump as a result of his approach, with the then-president striking out at him throughout his time in office. Zucker also became a boogeyman in right-wing media, with Fox hosts launching nasty attacks on him during prime time.
It was all proof of Zucker's larger-than-life reputation in the news industry and influence over the broader political debate in the United States.
The fallout from Cuomo scandal
For the better part of a year, Zucker supported Chris Cuomo, despite criticism that the anchorman should have been benched or worse for what was then widely known about how he advised his brother. After more disclosures about how the brothers worked together to battle the charges against Andrew, Zucker dismissed Cuomo in early December.
CNN hired Cravath, a white-shoe law firm, to investigate the Cuomo case before taking action.
CNN stated that Cravath's conclusions constituted "cause to terminate" when Cuomo was sacked. However, the network also stated that it had received a sexual misconduct claim against Chris Cuomo from a "former junior colleague." "When additional claims came to us this week, we took them seriously, and saw no need to wait taking quick action," a CNN spokesman stated at the time, despite Cuomo's denial.
According to persons acquainted with the situation, Cravath has resumed its investigation. Cuomo's ongoing legal battle with CNN is one complicating aspect, according to one of the individuals, which is why Zucker was questioned about his relationship with Gollust.
"Employees must not hire or supervise (directly or indirectly) someone with whom they have a personal relationship," according to WarnerMedia's Standards of Business Conflict handbook. "If you are in a position to influence the employment, advancement, or hiring of someone with whom you have a personal relationship or a business they are associated with or have an interest in, you must inform the HR department in advance of taking any action."
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