Trump's team is reportedly exploring options for a post-election Trump TV network
Donald Trump's team has reportedly made moves to investigate the possibility of launching a television network if the candidate fails to end up in the White House, the Financial Times reports. Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, reportedly "informally" spoke with Aryeh Bourkoff, the chief executive of the investment firm LionTree, about the potential network; people knowledgeable of the conversation said it was short and has not continued since the initial meeting.
Still, Kushner's meeting shows that reality does not seem to agree with Trump's assurance that "I have no interest in a media company," as he told The Washington Post in September. Yet despite Trump's massive support nationwide, the Financial Times reports establishing a Trump television network would be difficult because "cable and satellite companies are loath to take on extra channels in an era of shrinking audiences and 'cord-cutting.'"
But if Trump is indeed eyeing a future on TV, he has certainly surrounded himself with the right friends. Possible allies in such a future venture could include Kushner, who also heads The New York Observer, Trump campaign manager and Breitbart chairman Steve Bannon, Fox News' Sean Hannity, InfoWars' Alex Jones, and former Fox News head Roger Ailes, although his exit agreement from the network would prohibit him from close involvement.
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
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
4 tips for navigating holiday season stress
The Week Recommends Balancing pressure and enjoying the holidays can indeed coexist
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rupert Murdoch loses 'Succession' court battle
Speed Read Murdoch wanted to give full control of his empire to son Lachlan, ensuring Fox News' right-wing editorial slant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bitcoin surges above $100k in post-election rally
Speed Read Investors are betting that the incoming Trump administration will embrace crypto
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Enron mystery: 'sick joke' or serious revival?
Speed Read 23 years after its bankruptcy filing, the Texas energy firm has announced its resurrection
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published