A report claimed that former CNN CEO Jeff Zucker attempted to persuade several high-profile billionaires to buy the embattled news network, but representatives for Zucker are denying the allegations.

The report suggested that Zucker approached individuals like Jeff Bezos, Laurene Powell Jobs, Alex Soros, and Roman Abramovich to fund a deal to take CNN private.

It was further claimed that Zucker sought legal assistance from the international law firm Clifford Chance for this endeavor. However, a spokesperson for Zucker strongly denied the report, stating that there were no meetings or discussions about buying CNN with anyone.

Variety’s report

Variety, the magazine that published the report, has stood by the story’s journalist, Tatiana Siegel, defending its investigative reporting.

Additionally, Zucker’s representatives denied another claim made by Variety that his private equity firm, RedBird, was planning to acquire CNN through a deal brokered by Pandion Partners. Zucker’s camp emphasized that he has no relationship with the firm and has never heard of it.

Zucker’s interest in acquiring CNN allegedly began after he was fired from the network in 2021 due to an undisclosed relationship with a former CNN executive.

The report suggested that he undermined his successor and engaged in actions detrimental to the network. Zucker’s representatives have vehemently criticized the report, accusing Variety of publishing false anecdotes and incidents that never occurred.