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How Kara Swisher's Comments About the Ellisons Became a "Thing"

March 26, 2026 / 01:29

This episode discusses CNN's ownership by the Ellison family, featuring comments from Scott McFarland and Cara Swisher. Topics include media ownership, personal opinions on tech moguls, and the implications of their influence on journalism.

Cara Swisher shares her experience speaking at Syracuse University, where she reiterated her stance against working for tech moguls. She humorously referenced Scott McFarland's transition from CBS to Midas Touch, joking about the Ellison family.

Swisher clarifies her views on Larry Ellison, stating that while she finds him tough and innovative, she does not want to work for tech leaders. She emphasizes her concerns about the decisions made by the Ellisons regarding CNN.

The conversation highlights the tension between media and technology, with Swisher expressing her worries about the future of journalism under tech influence.

TLDR

Cara Swisher discusses CNN's ownership by the Ellison family and her concerns about tech moguls in media.

Episode

1:29

00:00:00

Let me address something though. This week I gave a thing at Syracuse University. I was talking about things

00:00:05

that I've talked about a lot about CNN and the Ellison's owning it. >> Oo, a little controversy this week and I

00:00:10

saw that. >> Listen, this is what happened. I was telling things I've said 109 times

00:00:15

before. I don't want to work for a tech mogul. I don't. I just never have. I've

00:00:19

said that to you on this podcast a dozen [ __ ] times. Right. What I did was Scott McFarland, who left CBS and is now

00:00:25

with Midas Touch, said to him, I said, "You're you made the right decision."

00:00:29

And I I was looking directly at him and joking. I'm like, "You don't want to

00:00:33

work for the Ellison's. I mean, he's a terrible person." I was just like like

00:00:37

laying it on as a joke. The whole crowd laughed. I don't think Larry Ellison's a

00:00:41

terrible person. He's actually very funny. I don't agree with him on a lot

00:00:44

of things. He's an amazing entrepreneur. He has great aesthetic taste, by the

00:00:48

way, and his boats are fantastic. Somehow these reporters were like, Cara Swisser thinks Larry Ellison is a

00:00:54

terrible person. And then it became a thing. Let me just be clear. I like David Ellison. He's a nice guy. Larry

00:00:59

Ellison is a tough dude. I'm sorry. He really is. And people can dislike him

00:01:04

because he's been a tough cowboy over the many years. That said, I do think he's very innovative and has done an

00:01:10

astonishing things. And so, but I don't want to worry for tech people. I don't.

00:01:13

And I I think it's perfectly legitimate and frankly the decisions they've made

00:01:17

have been terrible around stuff that concerns me and that worries me of them taking over CNN. So, what big deal?

Episode Highlights

Controversy at Syracuse University
A talk turns controversial when comments about Larry Ellison are misinterpreted.
“I was just like laying it on as a joke.”
@ 00m 37s
March 26, 2026
Clarifying Misunderstandings
The speaker addresses misconceptions about their views on Larry Ellison.
“Let me just be clear. I like David Ellison. He's a nice guy.”
@ 00m 57s
March 26, 2026

Episode Quotes

I don't want to work for a tech mogul. I don't.
How Kara Swisher's Comments About the Ellisons Became a "Thing"
You don't want to work for the Ellison's. I mean, he's a terrible person.
How Kara Swisher's Comments About the Ellisons Became a "Thing"
I don't think Larry Ellison's a terrible person. He's actually very funny.
How Kara Swisher's Comments About the Ellisons Became a "Thing"
I do think he's very innovative and has done astonishing things.
How Kara Swisher's Comments About the Ellisons Became a "Thing"

Key Moments

Tech Mogul Stance00:15
Joking Controversy00:33
Misunderstood Comments00:41
Innovative Acknowledgment01:08