Donald Trump just wrote the Trump-iest letter to CNN's president

Donald Trump on Wednesday wrote a letter to Jeff Zucker, the head of CNN, urging him to donate the profits from the network's upcoming GOP presidential debate to veterans groups. Who's Trump to tell CNN how to spend its money? According to Trump, he's the sole reason CNN's ad rates have jumped in recent weeks.
While I refuse to brag, and as you know very well, this tremendous increase in viewer interest and advertising is due 100 percent to "Donald J. Trump." You saw it on The Apprentice where it was virtually the easiest show to sell to advertisers on television, and at extraordinary rates. In fact, NBC renewed The Apprentice, even though I told them not to because I was running for president (something which did not exactly endear them to me). [Trump]
He then urges CNN to "view the second debate broadcast as a public service and not accept the massive profits that this airing will generate."
I believe that all profits from this broadcast should go to various VETERANS groups, a list of which I will send to you in the near future. The veterans of our country, our finest people, have been treated horribly by our government and its "all talk and no action" politicians. In fact, some would say they are treated like third class citizens — even worse, in many cases, than illegal immigrants. It is about time that someone comes to their aid. Let's start now! [Trump]
Will CNN cave to Trump's demands? Zucker has yet to respond. In the meantime, read Trump's letter in full here.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - March 30, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - strawberry fields forever, secret files, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sets 25% tariffs on auto imports
Speed Read The White House says the move will increase domestic manufacturing. But the steep import taxes could also harm the US auto industry.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump allies urge White House to admit chat blunder
Speed Read Even pro-Trump figures are criticizing The White House's handling of the Signal scandal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Waltz takes blame for texts amid calls for Hegseth ouster
Speed Read Democrats are calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Michael Waltz to step down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judge: Nazis treated better than Trump deportees
speed read U.S. District Judge James Boasberg reaffirmed his order barring President Donald Trump from deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US officials share war plans with journalist in group chat
Speed Read Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal conversation about striking Yemen
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada's Mark Carney calls snap election
speed read Voters will go to the polls on April 28 to pick a new government
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published