Could Kara Swisher’s decision to leave CNN involve more than her objections to the network’s expected change in ownership?
The veteran technology journalist said on her podcast Tuesday that she plans to depart CNN as soon as possible, following reports that David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance is expected to take control of the network.
“F–k these guys,” Swisher said on “The Pivot.” “I don’t want to work for them.”
The ownership shake-up has also fueled speculation about whether Swisher’s past relationship with Nellie Bowles could make the prospect of staying at CNN especially uncomfortable.
Bowles, who co-founded The Free Press with Bari Weiss, is married to Weiss. Ellison appointed Weiss to lead CBS News after acquiring the company in 2025, and she has been widely discussed as a possible choice for a senior editorial role at CNN.
Some insiders have suggested that Swisher may not welcome the idea of working within a media organization overseen by her former partner’s spouse. Those claims, however, remain speculation, and Swisher has said her concerns center on the incoming owners and their approach to running news organizations.
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One source characterized Swisher’s reaction as jealousy, though no evidence was offered to support that assessment.
After being contacted for comment, Swisher shared the inquiry on Threads and responded: “Here’s my comment: ‘As exciting as girl-on-girl action is for you to gin up, I have been saying for a long time now that I would depart CNN if the deal goes through, due to my lack of confidence in the owners as decent media stewards and not whatever minion they decide to install. Please try to keep up, as hard as that is for you.’”
Bowles previously worked with Swisher on the “Recode” podcast in the mid-2010s, and the two were romantically involved for several years.
Bowles began dating Weiss in 2018, and the couple married two years later. They have two children.
Swisher separated from politician Megan Smith in 2014. She is now married to Amanda Katz, and they also have two children.
Swisher’s CNN contract is scheduled to run through Dec. 31, but she said Tuesday that she has asked her agent to negotiate an early release.
If the request is granted, Swisher could leave well before the end of the year. If not, the expected ownership transition may make CNN’s holiday gathering an unusually awkward affair.
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