Trump commits to CNN interview with Jake Tapper, hopes to steer network toward 'normal path'

President Donald Trump has agreed to an interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper, telling the host that he wants the network to return to a 'normal path.' The commitment came at the end of an impromptu phone call Trump made to CNN's 'State of the Union' on Sunday, according to Fox News, which reported that the call was to discuss the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham. During that conversation, Tapper extended an interview invitation and Trump accepted.

Fox NewsTrump accepts Jake Tapper interview invite, tells anchor he's trying to move CNN onto a ‘normal path’

"we're trying to have CNN go in a normal path."

MediaiteTrump Agrees to an Interview With Jake Tapper: ‘We’re Trying to Have CNN Go On a Normal Path’

The remark reflects Trump's long-running hostility toward the network, which he has frequently accused of biased coverage. Mediaite noted that Trump framed the interview as part of an effort to shift CNN's editorial direction.

Whatfinger added a broader business dimension to the agreement, reporting that Trump's decision to grant the interview comes as CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, is pursuing a merger with Paramount Global. That context suggests Trump may see the appearance as an opportunity to influence the network's posture ahead of a major corporate consolidation.

WhatfingerTrump Says He’ll Let Jake Tapper Interview Him to ‘Have CNN Go in a Normal Path’ Ahead of Paramount Merger

Fox News emphasized that Trump agreed to 'return for a broader CNN interview,' implying this would be a more extensive sit-down than his brief phone appearance. No date for the interview has been announced, but the development marks a notable shift for a president who has often boycotted and criticized the outlet.