CNN president Jeff Zucker resigned over relationship with colleague

CNN chief government Jeff Zucker attends the thirteenth annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute in New York on Dec. 8, 2019. Zucker introduced Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, that he's resigning from CNN.

Jason Mendez/Invision/AP

CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker on Tuesday introduced that he has resigned from his place efficient instantly, CNN reported.

• “As a part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo’s tenure at CNN, I used to be requested a couple of consensual relationship with my closest colleague, somebody I've labored with for greater than 20 years,” Zucker mentioned in an inner memo.
• “I acknowledged the connection advanced lately. I used to be required to reveal it when it started however I didn’t. I used to be mistaken. Because of this, I'm resigning at this time.”

In line with The Related Press, it's unclear who will probably be a everlasting alternative for Zucker.

Whereas the memo didn’t state who his colleague was, CNN reported that it was Allison Gollust, “his key lieutenant for the final twenty years.”

• Gollust in an announcement mentioned, “Jeff and I've been shut pals and professional companions for over 20 years. Lately, our relationship modified throughout COVID. I remorse that we didn’t disclose it on the proper time. I’m extremely pleased with my time at CNN and stay up for persevering with the good work we do on a regular basis.”

Jason Kilar, CEO of CNN’s guardian WarnerMedia, in an announcement to workers, mentioned,“We thank Jeff for his contributions over the previous 9 years,” in line with CNBC.

• “We will probably be saying an interim management plan shortly,” Kilar mentioned.

Their relationship

Veteran journalist Katie Couric, in her newest memoir, wrote about Gollust and her then-husband shifting into an residence above Zucker and his then-wife, per the report.

• Gollust labored as a senior publicist for NBC’s “At present” present the place Couric was a bunch.
• “I needed to marvel why Jeff was angling so arduous to carry Allison on board. She and her husband and children had moved into the residence proper above Jeff and Caryn’s — everybody who heard about their cozy association thought it was tremendous unusual,” Couric wrote.
• “By that time, Caryn (Zucker’s ex-wife) had turn out to be a detailed buddy and it made me actually uncomfortable.”

CNN’s powerful 12 months continues

• In November final 12 months, a report revealed that former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo had used media contacts to assist brother and then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo throughout his scandal. Chris Cuomo was suspended and finally fired by Zucker.
• Following that, in December, former CNN producer Rick Saleeby confronted a felony investigation over allegations involving “potential juvenile” victims.
• John Griffin, one other CNN producer of eight years, was charged with three counts of utilizing a facility of interstate commerce to sexually abuse underage women earlier that 12 months, in line with the Deseret Information.