Trump agrees to Jake Tapper interview after call to discuss Lindsey Graham: ‘Trying to have CNN go on a normal path’

President Trump agreed to a future interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper – telling the lefty host that “We’re trying to have CNN go on a normal path,” a possible nod to the network’s acquisition by Paramount Skydance.

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During an impromptu phone interview Sunday following the shocking death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, Tapper tried to question the president about the war in Iran, but Trump declined to answer.

“Well, I know you don’t want to talk about any other issues out of respect for Lindsey Graham, but we would love to have you back sometime because I do have a lot of other questions for you, sir,” Tapper said.

Trump replied: “Sure, we’ll do that. We’ll do that.”

As Tapper started to thank the president for the live phone call, Trump jumped in, saying: “We’re trying to have CNN go on a normal path and we’ll do that.”

“Well, I’m on a normal path right here, sir, and I appreciate your time. Thank you for calling in,” Tapper responded. 

“Good, you are. Okay, thanks a lot,” Trump said.

The president has repeatedly lashed out at CNN and some of its anchors, including Kaitlan Collins, accusing the cable news giant of pandering to leftists and delivering mostly negative coverage of his administration.

Last month, Trump’s Department of Justice approved Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery – meaning ownership of CNN will transfer to David Ellison, son of close Trump ally and Oracle founder Larry Ellison.

As The Post reported, the new owners are reportedly planning to have the network take a more centrist stance on politics – which has CNN staffers in a panic, especially as they worry that Bari Weiss, the new CBS News boss installed by David Ellison, will lead their network, as well.

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CNN president Mark Thompson was forced to send out a memo in February assuaging top talent who were fearful of a shift in editorial leadership and potential cost-cutting.

Paula Reid, the network’s chief legal affairs correspondent, has reportedly decided to leave the network ahead of the Ellison family’s takeover – privately raising concerns with CNN executives about the uncertainty of the network’s future, according to Status.

She would be the first major full-time CNN journalist to flee the network over the takeover, though many others have reportedly flagged their own concerns.

Tech journalist Kara Swisher said publicly that she plans to stop working with CNN once the “incompetent” Ellisons and their “minions” take over, and star anchor Anderson Cooper allegedly told colleagues he does not want to work for Weiss if she is ultimately put in charge of the network.

Trump has repeatedly praised the Ellisons as “great people,” while War Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this year blasted CNN’s coverage of the war in Iran and said, “the sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.”

But Trump administration officials repeatedly pledged to remain neutral throughout the acquisition review process.

Last month, Paramount Skydance denied a report that Larry and David Ellison had promised the Trump administration they would overhaul CNN as part of the deal.

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