Jeff Zucker, who helped propel Trump to power, resigns from CNN | Media News
CNN boss said he is resigning over his failure to disclose a ‘consensual relationship with my closest colleague’.
Jeff Zucker, the United States television executive whose programming decisions helped cement Donald Trump’s status as a pop culture icon and propel him to the White House, is resigning as president of CNN Worldwide.
In a memo to staff on Wednesday, Zucker said his departure was the result of his failure to disclose what he described as a “consensual relationship with my closest colleague” that came light during an investigation into former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo.
“I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today.”
Jeff Zucker just announced his resignation to a stunned CNN. pic.twitter.com/sWXYNBO20d
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) February 2, 2022
CNN anchor Brian Stelter reported that the subordinate with whom Zucker had the affair is Allison Gollust, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of CNN Worldwide.
In a statement read aloud on CNN by Stelter, Gollust was quoted as saying: “Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years. Recently our relationship changed during COVID. I regret that we didn’t disclose it at the right time.”
.@brianstelter reads a statement from Allison Gollust, the colleague who was having a consensual relationship with Jeff Zucker:
“Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years. Recently our relationship changed during Covid.” pic.twitter.com/Cd13FR1pBB
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) February 2, 2022
Gollust formerly served as communications director for New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned last summer amid a storm of sexual harassment allegations.
The political scandal eventually cost Andrew Cuomo’s brother, Chris Cuomo his job at CNN. The network fired the top-rated anchor over revelations that came to light during a probe into Chris’s efforts to help his brother navigate the barrage of sexual misconduct claims.
That investigation into Chris Cuomo has now triggered the downfall of Jeff Zucker.
