CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King has responded to President Donald Trump’s recent online attack, in which he declared her career “over” amid the impending Skydance-Paramount merger.
Speaking briefly to a reporter outside her car, King calmly replied:
“I’m sorry he feels that way… I like my job, [I’ll] continue to do a good job.”
With a nod to other public figures who’ve also been targets of Trump’s criticism, she added:
“There’s a long list of people. Look, I’m in a group now with Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, Stephen Colbert.”
Trump Targets King Amid Paramount Merger
Trump’s comments came via his social media platform, Truth Social, where he reposted a New York Post article that speculated on King’s future at CBS. The article took issue with CBS Mornings’ on-air diversity, citing King and fellow co-host Nate Burleson’s race, as well as that of executive producer Shawna Thomas. The piece also described the show as “woke,” specifically referencing a segment featuring Bob the Drag Queen earlier this year.
Trump wrote, “Gayle King’s career is over. She should have stayed with her belief in TRUMP. She never had the courage to do so. No talent, no ratings, no strength!!!”
As CBS prepares to finalize its merger with Skydance Media this Thursday, political and cultural undercurrents have intensified. Critics, including Trump, have suggested the incoming leadership will dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts at the network.
According to the Post article, Skydance has reportedly pledged to the FCC to roll back DEI programming and appoint an ombudsman to handle perceived bias in coverage, though the FCC’s authority over editorial content is limited by the First Amendment.
First Amendment and Media Law Implications
Trump’s escalating rhetoric against individual journalists and television hosts raises broader First Amendment questions. Legal scholars note that while public criticism of media figures is constitutionally protected, such statements—particularly those that are false and damaging—can potentially raise concerns under defamation law, depending on the context and platform.
The former president has a long history of publicly berating media figures who criticize him or cover his presidency and campaign unfavorably.
In recent months, he has celebrated CBS’s cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, attributing the move to political bias. CBS, however, cited financial considerations as the reason for ending the show.
Viewership Trends & Legal Settlements
Ratings data show CBS Mornings has seen a decline in viewership. The week of July 21, the show averaged 1.8 million viewers, down 10% from the same week in 2024. Its key demographic—viewers aged 25 to 54—dropped 20%, to 287,000. However, competitors like Good Morning America and Today have also experienced year-over-year declines.
The political climate and merger speculation have further fueled legal maneuvering. In advance of FCC approval, Paramount quietly settled a Trump-initiated lawsuit over a 60 Minutes segment featuring Vice President Kamala Harris. The company agreed to a $16 million payout, the bulk of which will reportedly support Trump’s presidential library.
King’s Poised Response
Despite the controversy, King remains poised and focused on her role. Legal analysts note that King’s measured response reflects an awareness of the media landscape’s volatility during a major corporate transition, and of the importance of maintaining credibility in an increasingly polarized environment.
Her dismissal of Trump’s remarks signals not only media professionalism but also a personal resilience in the face of highly public political attacks.
As the Skydance-Paramount deal moves closer to finalization, more shifts in media leadership and editorial direction are expected—alongside continued scrutiny from political figures eager to influence or undercut mainstream journalism.
