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Cillizza, ever the direct one, hopped on X to amplify Darcy’s observations from his “Status” newsletter. Darcy, who’s apparently decided to depart CNN in August 2024 (maybe he saw the writing on the wall, or, you know, the lack of viewers), hasn’t been shy about pointing fingers.
On the “Sanity” podcast in July, Darcy didn’t just lament the numbers; he threw some shade at CNN executives. His take? The network’s “softer” approach to President Donald Trump and its “sloppy attempts” at digital growth are about as effective as bringing a spoon to a knife fight.
“This is actually a very worrisome time in American politics and democracy,” Darcy said, adding, “And Donald Trump is assaulting pretty much every tenet of this country… And so is it the time to be, I don’t know, more moderate in your tone? I don’t know, I would disagree.” Sounds like he’s not buying the “turn the other cheek” strategy.
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These abysmal July figures aren’t a fluke. The second quarter of 2025 saw CNN’s total viewership drop a whopping 13% compared to the previous year. You know things are tough when your own history is beating you.
CNN’s ratings have been on a bit of a downward spiral for a while now, hitting rock bottom in May 2024 with their lowest primetime viewership since 1991. For now, it seems the former staffers are having the last laugh, albeit a slightly painful one.
