Trump pays tribute to late Ted Turner: 'A friend of mine'

President Donald Trump on Wednesday paid tribute to the late Ted Turner, who died the same day at the age of 87.

Turner was best known as the founder of CNN, a prominent news network with which Trump has repeatedly traded barbs in recent years.

"Ted Turner, one of the Greats of All Time, just died. He founded CNN, sold it, and was personally devastated by the Deal because the new ownership took CNN, his 'baby,' and destroyed it," Trump posted on Truth Social. "It became woke, and everything that he is not all about."

"Maybe the new buyers, wonderful people, will be able to bring it back to its former credibility and glory," he added. "Regardless, however, one of the Greats of Broadcast History, and a friend of mine. Whenever I needed him, he was there, always willing to fight for a good cause!"

CNN confirmed Turner's death, citing Turner Enterprises. 

“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement,” CNN CEO Mark Thompson said. “He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognize him and his impact on our lives and the world.”

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.