After what has been labeled a “disastrous” profile with The Atlantic, CNN CEO Chris Licht has reportedly “lost the room”, according to CNN media reporter Oliver Darcy.

He added that after speaking with more than a dozen colleagues, one feeling was nearly universal.

“Licht has lost the room,” reported Darcy. “In the eyes of so many at CNN, there isn’t anything Licht can do at this point to win over their support. They’ve hit the wall with him.”

A report from The Daily Beasts’ Lachlan Cartwright specifically named Jake Tapper, Wolf Blitzer, and Erin Burnett as those who have “lost confidence in the boss”.

Many have questioned Licht’s future with the organization after the profile called into question his decision-making and professional acumen to lead the brand forward. Darcy reported that Warner Bros. Discovery chairman David Zaslav “had the same reaction that everyone else did to that article, a person familiar with the WBD chief’s thinking told me. A second person familiar with Zaslav’s thinking said the WBD boss was not happy about The Atlantic story and that he is not blind to what is transpiring at CNN.”

The reporting from Darcy comes after Licht apologized to CNN employees during a Monday morning editorial call. He told staffers his goal should only be in the news if he is “taking arrows” for reporters, hosts, and the network. He admitted he had failed that goal and would “work like hell” to restore their trust in him.

ABC News has announced significant appointments within its organization, with Bonnie McLean taking on the role of Director and Los Angeles Bureau Chief, Dimitrije Stejic as Director and London Bureau Chief, and Andrea Owen assuming the position of Executive Director and Deputy Washington, D.C., Bureau Chief.

Katie den Daas, the VP of Global Newsgathering at ABC News, informed the staff about the promotions.

Bonnie McLean, who has been a part of ABC News for nearly 25 years, previously served as the Deputy Bureau Chief and will now report to Michael Kreisel in her new role. “Bonnie has been instrumental in our news coverage on the west coast, championing stories from everywhere between Los Angeles and Dallas, and helping to grow our L.A. bureau,” said den Daas. Previously, David Herndon held the position of L.A. Bureau Chief.

Dimitrije Stejic, who joined ABC News in 1992, has been appointed as the London Bureau Chief and will report to Kirit Radia, the Director of International News at ABC News. Den Daas described Stejic as an integral part of the international news team for over 30 years and highlighted his expertise in planning and executing coverage for 13 Royal events. Katie den Daas previously held the position of London Bureau Chief.

With a tenure of 30 years at ABC News, starting as an intern in London, Andrea Owen has been promoted to the role of Executive Director and Deputy Washington, D.C., Bureau Chief. She will report to Jonathan Greenberger. Den Daas acknowledged Owen’s consistent contributions on both the editorial and operational fronts.

“I am confident that Bonnie, Dimitrije and Andrea will continue to bring immense value to our coverage, as we continue to collaborate across shows and platforms each and every day,” den Daas said. 

Meet The Press host Chuck Todd will step aside in September, calling the decision a voluntary one. NewsNation host Dan Abrams isn’t exactly buying that.

During Dan Abrams Live Monday, the eponymous host argued that it’s like both Todd and NBC News are lying about the circumstances behind Todd’s departure.

“That a news operation that is supposed to be seeking out the truth and providing its viewers and readers with accurate information, calling out fact from fiction,” said Abrams. “And yet, they are almost certainly creating a fictionalized version of what happened.”

Abrams then noted that under Todd, Meet The Press has gone from the most-watched Sunday political affairs program to being in third place behind offerings from CBS and ABC.

“They had already canceled Todd’s daily show on MSNBC, and NBC was probably under pressure to replace a White male host of a show that was both suffering in the ratings and which was blasted by many on social media.”

He added that while he likes Todd, he doesn’t believe the host would voluntarily “relinquish his highest profile role with the 2024 election around the corner”.

Abrams’ opinion is backed up by previous media reporting that claimed as far back as last August that Todd would be replaced by Kristen Welker, who was simultaneously announced as his successor.