Former CNN anchor Dave Briggs has openly criticized his former network’s coverage approach during the Trump-Russia investigation, arguing that CNN’s intense focus on the story drove viewers away and contributed to sharp declines in ratings. Briggs, who co-anchored “Early Start” from 2017 to 2019, shared his thoughts during a podcast released on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Appearing on the “Sanity with Alisyn & Dave” podcast alongside former CNN colleague Alisyn Camerota and guest Dylan Byers, Briggs voiced his dissatisfaction with what he described as the network’s fixation on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. He revealed that he often found himself at odds with network executives regarding the programming direction during his time at CNN.
Briggs told the podcast hosts that he frequently debated with leadership over the Russia probe’s prominence in CNN’s coverage, noting that people outside the East Coast whom he spoke with were uninterested in the investigation’s outcome. He maintained that this editorial choice caused CNN to lose “30, 40% of the country,” a claim he said was reflected in the ratings.
He further explained that friends from various regions often expressed that they wanted coverage of a broader range of stories beyond the Russia investigation. Briggs believes this widespread sentiment was a key factor in viewers tuning out from CNN at the time. He emphasized that it was the network’s single-minded focus on the Russia inquiry that ultimately alienated much of its audience.
The Mueller investigation, which started in 2017, looked into Russian interference in the 2016 election, potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia, and possible obstruction of justice. While the investigation found that Russia carried out a vast operation to help Trump win, it concluded there wasn’t enough evidence to charge the campaign with criminal conspiracy.
During this period, Jeff Zucker led CNN, steering the network through a surge in ratings during Trump’s presidency. The network saw its highest viewership ever in 2017, with strong ratings continuing through the 2020 election. However, after Trump left office, CNN experienced a dramatic audience drop in early 2021, with primetime ratings falling by 36% within several weeks.
Zucker resigned as president of CNN in 2022 after failing to disclose a romantic relationship with CNN executive Allison Gollust, which broke company policy. The ratings decline worsened after Trump secured re-election in 2024, with CNN’s primetime audience dipping below 420,000 by late 2024, marking the lowest numbers the network had seen in nearly three decades.
As of May 2025, CNN’s primetime viewership averaged just 405,000, with only 74,000 viewers in the crucial 25-54 age group. The network is now undergoing significant restructuring as it confronts record-low ratings, falling revenue, and an upcoming change in ownership.
Early in 2025, CNN cut 6% of its staff and is preparing additional cost reductions, including salary cuts and stricter spending controls. CEO Mark Thompson is redirecting resources toward a $70 million investment in digital platforms, aiming to reach $1 billion in annual revenue by 2030.
Growing anxiety among staff has followed news of CNN’s pending separation from Warner Bros. Discovery, as it transitions into a new division named Global Networks, led by cost-cutting executive Gunnar Wiedenfels. With cable TV viewership decreasing industry-wide, CNN faces an uncertain future as it seeks to adapt to the streaming landscape.
Briggs joined CNN in 2017 after previously co-hosting “Fox & Friends Weekend” on Fox News and hosting various sports programs at NBCSN. He left CNN in 2019 to pursue opportunities in sports media.
After departing CNN, Briggs has taken on several media projects, partnering with Mediaite for his current podcast, which he co-hosts with Camerota. The podcast, described as tackling issues with curiosity and irreverence, highlights a growing trend of former network personalities starting their own independent media platforms.
A CNN insider responded to Briggs’ remarks by expressing disappointment, suggesting that former staff were making naive comments about the industry and their previous employers in hopes of financial gain.