CNN's Anti-Trump Voices Return as Chris Licht Era Reversal Unfolds

Former CNN stars Jeffrey Toobin, Don Lemon, and Brian Stelter have made recent appearances on the network, signaling a departure from the less partisan direction that previous CEO Chris Licht had intended.

In recent weeks, CNN has witnessed a noticeable shift in its on-air presence, with the return of several liberal voices who were pushed out under the previous leadership of Chris Licht. This move marks a departure from Licht's efforts to distance the network from its anti-Trump stance and embrace a less partisan approach.

One of the most prominent figures to make a comeback is Jeffrey Toobin, who served as CNN's chief legal analyst for 20 years before his departure in August 2022. Toobin has made numerous appearances on the network since then, frequently introduced as a "former federal prosecutor."

Another returning star is Don Lemon, who was fired last April after a tumultuous period that included the cancellation of his solo primetime show and controversial comments about Nikki Haley. Lemon has recently reappeared on CNN to discuss his quashed deal with Elon Musk.

Brian Stelter, CNN's former chief media correspondent, has also made several appearances since his dismissal in August 2022. He was most recently seen during the coverage of the Trump hush money trial, introduced as a "special correspondent for Vanity Fair."

The return of these former CNNers is seen as a sign of dissatisfaction among the current staff with the decisions made by Licht, who was brought in to restore the network's journalistic credibility after its perceived bias during the Trump era.

Licht's time as CEO was marked by a push to move away from the liberal, anti-Trump stance that had become associated with the network under previous leader Jeff Zucker. However, this effort faced resistance from CNN's rank and file, who rejected accusations of bias.

Among Licht's initiatives was a reorganization of the morning show lineup and the cancellation of the long-running media-centric program "Reliable Sources" hosted by Stelter. However, these changes have reportedly been reversed, with "CNN This Morning" facing significant viewership declines.

The return of Toobin, Lemon, and Stelter, who are all known for their critical views of Trump, suggests that CNN is moving away from the less partisan approach Licht had intended. It remains to be seen whether this shift will help the network regain viewers or further alienate its audience.