Sources indicate that CNN employees were surprised when their boss suggested they reduce coverage of President Trump’s dismantling of the East Wing, following his rare visit to the White House.

Mark Thompson, the head of CNN, reportedly informed staff during an editorial call on Thursday that the audience isn’t particularly interested in the story, according to two individuals familiar with the situation who spoke to the Status newsletter.

Thompson, who typically refrains from intervening in editorial matters, left staffers perplexed with his unusual comment.

According to Status, CNN journalists were wary of the timing of Thompson’s remarks, which coincided with Trump’s swift plans to replace the East Wing with a $250 million ballroom. This left some staff pondering what other coverage might be discouraged in the future.

In response to the Status newsletter’s report, the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network denied the claims over the weekend, asserting that there was “zero truth” to the allegations.

“This is reckless and irresponsible conjecture without any fact checking prior to publication,” a CNN spokesperson told The Post.

The network representative confirmed that Thompson visited the White House on Wednesday.

According to Status, Thompson was at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to introduce the network’s new direct-to-consumer streaming product, which is set to launch next week. It was not immediately known whom he met there.

Thompson — the former BBC and New York Times head who was tapped by WBD CEO David Zaslav to lead the struggling cable channel out of the ratings wilderness — wants to adopt a “big tent approach” to programming the new streaming service, according to Status.

The company is said to be keen on avoiding the disastrous fate that befell its previous streaming platform, CNN+, the brainchild of former CNN boss Jeff Zucker. The app was offed following the merger between Warner Media and Discovery.

Last week’s White House confab raised eyebrows in light of the fact that CNN’s corporate parent recently put itself up for sale after receiving several bids.

The Post reported last week that the Trump administration wants to see Paramount Skydance, which is owned by the son of Trump backer Larry Ellison, acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

Other companies that are said to be in the bidding mix include Netflix, Amazon and Comcast.

If Warner Bros. Discovery is sold off, Thompson is fully aware that his days as CNN president are numbered, according to Status.

“When that happens, Mark is out,” a confidant was quoted as telling Status.

CNN has had a historically contentious relationship with Trump, who has denounced the network as “fake news” while openly sparring with current and former star correspondents such as Kaitlin Collins and Jim Acosta.

Last week’s reported snafu over White House demolition coverage wasn’t the first time Thompson told CNN staffers to temper their criticisms of Trump.

In January, he told more than 100 journalists and top on-air talent including Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper to avoid “pre-judging” Trump while covering the inauguration, according to Status.

Thompson is said to have told his charges that they should avoid “expressing any outrage of their own” while also taking pains not to “relitigate the past,” the newsletter reported.

A CNN spokesperson declined to comment on the Status report from January. The Post has sought comment from the White House.