CNN star Jack Tapper admitted this week that morale at the struggling news network “hasn’t been better in years” since Christ Lightwas expelled last month, RadarOnline.com has learned.
Tapper acknowledged the positive change in morale at CNN during an appearance on journalist Kara Swisherthe podcast, Continue with Kara Swisherreleased Monday morning.
While Tapper declined to say whether he believed Licht’s firing last month was the “right thing to do,” the 54-year-old CNN host did admit that “things are [at the network] are really good now” and the focus of the outlet’s work is “back on journalism.”
“I’m not here to judge whether shooting was the right thing to do,” Tapper said told Swisher during her podcast. “I’m bummed it didn’t work out with Chris. I am. I’m disappointed that it didn’t work out.”
“But I will say things are going really well now,” he continued. “And this leadership team […] I think they are doing a great job and the focus is back on our journalism, not palace intrigue and not media criticism. And morale hasn’t been better in years.”
Yet Tapper spoke highly of Light and acknowledged that – following Jeff Zucker‘s departure from the network in February 2022 – Licht was the “best” person for the job.
“I’ll say I’ve known Chris a long time,” Tapper said. “I’ve known him since he worked at CBS News. And I was very excited when he came, because I thought he would be good.
“At that point, Zucker had already left, and I adored Jeff, and I wish Jeff hadn’t left, but he did,” he continued. “So I was in a new reality and the reality was, well, who are they going to pick?”
“And I had heard a lot of names, some of whom I knew, some of whom I knew, and Chris was without a doubt the best name I heard. And I was excited about it.”
If RadarOnline.com previously reported, Light was finally dismissed from his role as CEO of CNN on June 7.
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of Light departure came days after the Atlantic suffered a “scorching” and “shameful” Profile of 15,000 words about the now former CNN CEO and network staffers complained about Light in the weeks and months prior to his retirement.
“Morale is at an all-time low,” says a network source said in November, citing what they called a “communication crisis” between the network’s upper management and employees. “It’s worse than it’s ever been.”
Light’s reputation at CNN deteriorated further after he decided to host one town hall event with former president Donald Trump in May.