CNN Boss Chris Licht Wants Staff to Stop Saying 'The Big Lie' (Report)

With Chris Licht at the helm of CNN, the changes keep coming. According to a Wednesday report from Mediaite, the new CNN president has asked staff to avoid using the phrase "the big lie" when referring to former President Donald Trump's false claims about the 2020 election.

During a conference call on Tuesday, Licht was asked about "the big lie," and he expressed his preference that staffers avoid the term. Instead, he reportedly encouraged staff to say "Trump election lie" or the "election lie" in the network's banners and graphics.

According to sources, Licht said that using the phrase "the big lie" adopts Democratic Party branding and weakens the network's efforts to remain objective. Licht reportedly didn't indicate this was a mandate, but CNN staff see it as a directive and a reflection of the network's recently stated desire to adopt a "less partisan tone and strategy."

CNN insiders are concerned about these changes, with one telling Mediaite, "It's worrisome that we're being told how to talk about one of the worst things that ever happened to American democracy. We have to call lies, lies, whether they're small lies or big lies. Is there any lie bigger than that lie?"

"It seems to indicate where things are headed," the insider added. "We didn't have this problem until John Malone was sitting on the board of this company."

Malone is a Warner Bros. Discovery board member who, in the past, has been critical of former CNN CEO Jeff Zucker, claiming he allowed too much partisanship on the network with left-leaning personalities and programming.

Kirstie Renae is a writer, blogger, and Austin-based actress with a penchant for binge-watching TV with her dogs. Follow her on Twitter @KirstieRenae.