CNN ‘Demotes’ Adam Levine from DC Coverage in Major Shake-Up
CNN is undergoing a significant leadership shake-up as it adjusts its coverage of President Donald Trump’s second term. Former Washington Post senior editor Philip Rucker has been appointed to lead CNN’s Washington, D.C., coverage, replacing longtime senior vice president Adam Levine, according to a Daily Mail report.
Humiliating demotion for CNN big beasts as bosses seek to transform Trump coverage in bid to stem tanking ratings https://t.co/blyHGYpc2u
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 22, 2025
Levine, who previously oversaw CNN’s entire Washington bureau, has seen his role reduced to managing the network’s investigative team and a newly created “hub desk.” The change reportedly left him frustrated, as insiders claimed he was caught off guard by the sudden shift.
Virginia Moseley, CNN’s executive editor, announced the restructuring during a Thursday night meeting, where Levine was said to have appeared uncomfortable with the demotion. A CNN staffer confirmed, “There’s no question: He was demoted,” the Daily Mail reported.
Rucker’s move to CNN follows a wave of departures from The Washington Post after the newspaper declined to endorse former Vice President Kamala Harris for president. His appointment signals a shift in CNN’s strategy as it recalibrates its approach to covering Trump’s second administration.
In a press release, CNN praised Rucker’s extensive experience covering Trump, calling him the ideal choice to lead the network’s reporting efforts during the president’s second term, per Breitbart News.
Trump has frequently criticized CNN and other mainstream media outlets, accusing them of being politically biased against him. His ongoing battle with the press has remained a central theme of his presidency.
During a recent speech at the Department of Justice, Trump took aim at CNN and MSNBC, stating, “I believe that CNN and MSDNC, who literally write 97.6 percent bad about me, are political arms of the Democrat Party. And, in my opinion, they’re really corrupt. And they’re illegal—what they do is illegal.”
Trump further claimed that regardless of how decisive his election victory was, these networks would continue to target him unfairly.
Comparing them to well-paid political operatives, Trump insisted their coordination with one another should be considered illegal. “It’s influencing judges. It’s really changing law, and it just cannot be legal,” he argued.
CNN’s leadership shake-up comes at a time when the network is under increasing pressure to adjust its reporting approach. The media industry as a whole is grappling with shifting public trust and political dynamics.
The internal changes suggest CNN is attempting to reposition itself, though it remains unclear whether Rucker’s leadership will significantly alter the network’s coverage.
Levine’s demotion has sparked speculation about internal tensions within CNN as it faces continued scrutiny from Trump and his supporters.
The broader impact of this leadership transition remains to be seen, but it marks a notable shift in CNN’s strategy as it covers Trump’s presidency.
With Rucker at the helm, the network’s Washington bureau is expected to take a more aggressive approach to political coverage, potentially setting the stage for continued friction between CNN and the Trump administration.
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Go ahead and burn. No problem