Coming Soon: The New CNN

Key Takeaways

• RJ Matson's cartoon imagines Trump‑approved merger of CNN with CBS
• Larry Ellison depicted wearing MAGA shirt, suggesting political alignment
• Cartoon includes Skydance, Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery logos
• Matson publishes weekly cartoons on Substack and Roll Call
• Cagle Cartoons syndicates his work to print newspapers

Pulse Analysis

The illustration by RJ Matson taps into a fever‑pitch discussion about media consolidation, portraying a hypothetical deal where former President Donald Trump greenlights a merger that hands control of CNN and CBS to tech billionaire Larry Ellison. By merging the CNN logo with Trump’s visage and adding a MAGA‑shirted Ellison, the cartoon dramatizes fears that political patronage could dictate the editorial direction of major news outlets. The inclusion of other entertainment giants—Skydance, Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery—amplifies the sense that a single deal could reshape the entire media landscape.

Beyond the satire, the piece reflects genuine industry trends. Over the past decade, the U.S. media market has seen a wave of acquisitions, from Disney’s purchase of 21st Century Fox to Warner Bros. Discovery’s merger with Paramount’s streaming assets. Such consolidations raise questions about diversity of viewpoints, antitrust scrutiny, and the potential for owners with strong political leanings to influence coverage. Analysts warn that when powerful figures like Ellison, known for his libertarian‑leaning investments, gain control, editorial independence could be compromised, affecting both advertisers and audiences.

Editorial cartoons remain a potent form of commentary, distilling complex ownership debates into a single, shareable image. RJ Matson, a regular contributor to Roll Call and a Substack creator, leverages his syndication network through Cagle Cartoons to reach a broad readership. By framing the merger as a political spectacle, his work not only entertains but also informs a professional audience about the stakes of media power shifts, reinforcing the role of visual satire in shaping public discourse around corporate governance and democratic transparency.