After a purge of woke presenters, CNN has continued its anti-woke makeover with two new high-profile hires.
Ex-NYPD deputy commissioner John Miller and cardiologist Dr. Tara Narula have been recruited by new chief Chris Licht in an effort to strengthen the failing network.
The first individual will assume the role of top law enforcement and intelligence analyst, while the second will become the new medical correspondent.
It follows Licht’s dismissal of a slew of progressive employees, like as media “hall monitor” Brian Stelter, legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, and political journalist John Harwood.
Former NPYD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism John Miller has been appointed as the network’s principal law enforcement and intelligence analyst. Tuesday was his first day on the job at the network. John Miller (shown on the left) did an interview with former terrorist leader Osama bin Laden in May 1998 while working as a journalist for ABC News.
In May, Chris Licht assumed control of CNN following the departure of Jeff Zucker, who resigned in February amid an alleged office romance. Under Licht’s leadership, CNN will become more objective and less opinionated than it was under Zucker’s.
After the abrupt dismissals of WH correspondent John Harwood (left) and Reliable Sources host Brian Stelter, CNN employees fear a network-wide purge of progressive talent (right)
Licht assumed over in May after Jeff Zucker, the previous CNN president, quit in February following an alleged office romance.
Under Licht’s leadership, CNN will become more objective and less opinionated than it was under Zucker’s.
As the network’s main law enforcement and intelligence analyst, John Miller, a former deputy commissioner of intelligence and counter-terrorism for the NPYD, was recruited.
Miller began his new position on Tuesday.
Miller interviewed former ISIS leader Osama bin Laden in May 1998 at his mountaintop camp in southern Afghanistan, according to PBS.
Miller stated on his new position that he “shares Chris Licht’s editorial vision,” which includes “speed, enthusiasm, but not at the expense of objectivity,” according to a report.
The 46-year-old Dr. Tara Nurala, a former CBS News senior medical correspondent and medical contributor, has joined the CNN health, medical, and wellness team.
Since 2010, Narula, who is board-certified in nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, and internal medicine, has been associated with the Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute in New York.
She is also the proprietor of Sun Jucie Inc., a pharmacy.
It is unclear how much each Miller and Nurala will make.
According to sources, Narula previously earned between $500,000 and $800,000 annually, as reported by the news site.
She is also expected to have a net worth of approximately $5 million in 2022, according to a report.
Toobin, a legal analyst, and Harwood, a political analyst and former White House correspondent, both left CNN since Licht became its new leader.
Some think Licht has his sights set on CNN’s morning news lineup for his next overhaul. ‘New Day’ is now presented by Brianna Keilar and John Berman, according to The New York Post.
It was reported last week that CNN employees fear a network-wide purge of top talent following the dismissals of Stelter and Hardwood.
Jim Acosta (left) and Jake Tapper (right) of CNN could possibly be terminated due to their previous critiques of former president Trump.
Online, CNN viewers speculated that Don Lemon and other anchors could be next to go (above)
Current and former CNN staffers told The Washington Post that there appears to be a culling of the woke at the media company following Hardwood’s announcement of his abrupt resignation on Friday, just hours after reporting from the White House.
Last month, both Hardwood and Stelter, the former host of Reliable Sources, had their contracts terminated early.
It is believed that incoming CNN president Chris Licht intends to oust people who have been critical of Donald Trump and his friends in order to show a more neutral CNN and reclaim its status as the “most trusted name in news.”
A CNN correspondent told the Post, “People are terrified.” There nearly seems to be a trend. Is there now a purge? They appear to be giving the message, ‘Be careful with your words. Watch your actions.
In a May message to staff, Licht, who was chosen by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, stated that CNN needed to recover the public’s trust.
He stated that the publication should focus on ‘bravely telling the truth to power, challenging the existing quo, questioning ‘group-think,’ and educating viewers and readers with simple facts and smart commentary, while always respecting differing opinions.
CNN journalists, however, claim that the new leader has not elaborated much on his vision or how reporters may avoid appearing partisan while reporting on big problems.
One journalist told the Post, “I believe they hope people will simply assume what to do.”
Another staffer blasted the network’s failure to provide explanations for the recent firings, stating, “Longtime CNN stars are vanishing, and viewers have no idea why.”
Stelter’s show, which competed with ‘MediaBuzz’ on Fox News, lost the viewership battle.
Online, viewers speculated that anchors could be next, with conservative lightning rod Don Lemon suggested. Jim Acosta and Jake Tapper were two further prominent anchors whose jobs were potentially at risk.
A seasoned producer, who, like the others, spoke anonymously out of concern for their jobs, stated that the recent departures and ambiguous messaging portend difficulty for the network ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
The CNN producer told the Post, “It’s a really confused and unsettling period for everyone at CNN.” I do not know anyone who is currently happy.
CNN released the following statement regarding Harwood’s dismissal: ‘We appreciate John’s efforts covering the White House, and we wish him the best.’
Harwood’s 65-year-old career includes stops at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and CNBC.
Friday at noon, he tweeted that he had ‘personal news’ to share and that it was his last day at CNN.
The reporter, who has worked for CNN since 2021, expressed pride in his job and congratulated his coworkers.
Harwood was an outspoken critic of Trump, and earlier this year he referred to Trump as “mentally ill.”
During his final day on the job, Harwood referred to Trump as a “dishonest demagogue” and agreed with Joe Biden’s divisive address in which he referred to the former president and his MAGA fans as “a menace” to American democracy.
Harwood acknowledged that his words strayed from the road of journalism, but he maintained his condemnation of Trump’s unsubstantiated accusations that the 2020 election was stolen.
“We are raised to believe that there are two distinct political parties with different points of view, and we do not take sides in their sincere differences,” he stated.
But that’s not what we’re discussing. These are not sincere differences of opinion.