Tucker Carlson has disclosed his thoughts on potentially taking charge of CNN after the notion was put forward by a prominent investor.

In a candid conversation on the All-In Podcast, hosted by Jason Calacanis, Chamath Palihapitiya, David Sacks, and David Friedberg, Carlson, who has a history with the network, shared insights into his future aspirations.

During this episode, which typically delves into themes surrounding business and technology, Calacanis, who is known for his investments in startups, posed a hypothetical question about Carlson’s approach if he were to assume leadership at CNN.

This discussion coincides with the announcement that Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), CNN’s parent company, has turned down a $108 billion cash proposal from Paramount to acquire the entire company.

David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, recently extended this last-ditch offer to Warner.

Had the acquisition been successful, Ellison, whose father Larry Ellison, a billionaire at 81 and a vocal supporter of Trump, intended to implement significant changes at CNN, a frequent critic of the former president.

Calacanis asked Tucker: ‘What would you do if you had CNN? They put it on your lap, Tucker, and they say you’re forced to be CEO for the next 10 years? What would you do?’ 

‘Well, actually, I’ve had that conversation,’ Tucker started off. 

Tucker Carlson has reveled if he will will take CNN amid the cable network’s recent failures

Tucker said there is ‘no way’ he would ever take over the liberal network because it is ‘totally irrelevant’ 

‘I mean, I spent almost 10 years there, I feel like I’m familiar with it,’ he stated, adding that he recently spoke to someone about this and thought about the possibility. 

‘No way. I mean, first of all… I don’t have a New York Times, or Washington Post, or New Yorker subscription anymore, after a lifetime of having all three.

‘Because they’re totally irrelevant. They mean nothing, they’re speaking to no one,’ the 56-year-old said, referring to the networks all known for their left-leaning views.

‘It’s kind of musty. It’s like going back to your childhood home and seeing that your bedroom was really small, and the paint was actually turquoise, and all these kinds of sad posters from the 80s are still there. Ugh, it’s depressing,’ Tucker continued. 

He went on to say that if he were chosen to run the network, he would ‘just shut it down and build something new.’ 

Carlson worked at CNN as a political correspondent from 2000 to 2005. He then went to MSNBC before joining Fox News in 2009. 

He remained at the network until April 2023 after he was fired. He then launched his own independent media platform, the Tucker Carlson Network. 

On Wednesday morning, WBD’s board chairman, Samuel A. Di Piazza Jr., urged shareholders to reject Ellison’s offer in a scathing statement.

Carlson worked at CNN as a political correspondent from 2000 to 2005. He then went to MSNBC before joining Fox News in 2009. He remained at the network until April 2023 after he was fired

‘We look forward to moving ahead with our combination with Netflix and delivering the compelling and certain value it will create for shareholders,’ a portion of the statement read.

The board also took aim at Ellison, claiming the tech scion ‘has consistently misled WBD shareholders that its proposed transaction has a ‘full backstop’ from the Ellison family.

‘It does not, and never has,’ Di Piazza Jr. wrote.

The board also pointed to a $40.65 billion equity commitment from Paramount that relies ‘on an unknown and opaque revocable trust’. 

The statement said that despite repeated assurances from the Ellison family, they ‘have chosen not to backstop the [Paramount] offer.’

During a recent visit to Washington, DC, Ellison told Trump’s team that if he won the deal to purchase WBD, he would impose sweeping changes at CNN, sources told the Wall Street Journal.

His father, Larry, discussed firing hosts such as Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar – figures Trump dislikes – during talks with White House officials last month, The Guardian reported. 

The President reportedly told people close to him that he wants new ownership of CNN and changes to its programming.

CNN is one of the outlets Trump most likes to brand as ‘fake news.’ He often calls out its reporters, anchors, and general news coverage as intentionally attacking his agenda.

David Ellison, the chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Skydance, recently offered Warner the last-minute bid. If he won, Ellison would have overhauled CNN, one of the networks Donald Trump calls ‘fake news’

Earlier this month, Trump blasted CNN star Kaitlan Collins over a question she asked about the White House ballroom. 

‘Caitlin [sic] Collin’s of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty, asked me why the new Ballroom was costing more money than originally thought one year ago,’ he said in a Truth Social post. 

‘I said because it is going to be double the size, and the quality of finishes and interiors has been brought to the highest level.’

The Republican went on to say that it is ‘actually under budget and ahead of schedule.’

‘As my jobs always are,’ he said. ‘It’s just much bigger and more beautiful than originally planned.’

In response, Collins took to Instagram, stating, ‘Technically my question was about Venezuela,’ alongside a screengrab of Trump’s rant.