CNN Founder Ted Turner Dies at 87, Trump Praises Him as a Giant in Broadcasting History
CNN founder Ted Turner has passed away at the age of 87. He established the 24-hour news service and built a media empire, with former President Trump also expressing condolences, praising him as a great figure in broadcasting history.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 01:23
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency New York 6th Comprehensive Foreign Report) According to a press release issued by Turner Enterprises, American Cable News Network (CNN) founder Ted Turner passed away today at the age of 87. US President Trump posted a tribute, praising Turner as "one of the greatest figures in broadcasting history."
CNN pioneered 24-hour news service, completely transforming television news. According to CNN, Ted Turner built a media empire that included multiple popular movie and cartoon channels, and also owned professional sports teams such as the Atlanta Braves.
Turner was born in Ohio and later did business in Atlanta. He was known for his outspokenness, earning him the nickname "The Mouth of the South."
Turner was also an internationally renowned yachtsman, a philanthropist who founded the United Nations Foundation, an activist for global nuclear disarmament, an environmentalist, and one of the largest landowners in the United States.
He made significant contributions to reintroducing bison to the American West and even created the cartoon "Captain Planet" to educate children about environmental concepts.
However, what truly made Turner famous worldwide was his bold vision to launch 24-hour global live news broadcasting.
The importance of 24-hour news channels began to be recognized with the outbreak of the Persian Gulf War in 1990. This was the first time in history that a war was broadcast live, and at that time, only CNN provided it.
In 1991, Turner was named TIME magazine's Person of the Year for "influencing the dynamics of events and making audiences in 150 countries real-time witnesses to history."
Turner eventually sold his business to Time Warner and subsequently withdrew from the industry, but he always took pride in CNN, calling it his life's "greatest achievement."
Mark Thompson, CNN's Global Chairman and CEO, stated in a statement: "Ted (Turner) was an extremely dedicated and loyal leader, bold and fearless, always willing to trust his instincts and judgment."
"He was always the spiritual core of CNN. Ted was a giant, and we all stand on his shoulders. Today, we will collectively remember him and his impact on our lives and the world."
In 2018, more than a month before his 80th birthday, Turner publicly disclosed that he suffered from Lewy body dementia. In early 2025, he was hospitalized for mild pneumonia and later recovered in a rehabilitation center.
After the news of Turner's death, Donald Trump posted a tribute on his social media platform "Truth Social."
Trump wrote: "(He was) one of the greatest figures in broadcasting history, and my friend. Whenever I needed him, he was always there, always willing to fight for a good cause!"
Turner had three marriages during his lifetime, one of which was to Hollywood actress Jane Fonda. He is survived by five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. (Compiled by: Yang Chao-yen) 1150507
(Central News Agency New York 6th Comprehensive Foreign Report) According to a press release issued by Turner Enterprises, American Cable News Network (CNN) founder Ted Turner passed away today at the age of 87. US President Trump posted a tribute, praising Turner as "one of the greatest figures in broadcasting history."
CNN pioneered 24-hour news service, completely transforming television news. According to CNN, Ted Turner built a media empire that included multiple popular movie and cartoon channels, and also owned professional sports teams such as the Atlanta Braves.
Turner was born in Ohio and later did business in Atlanta. He was known for his outspokenness, earning him the nickname "The Mouth of the South."
Turner was also an internationally renowned yachtsman, a philanthropist who founded the United Nations Foundation, an activist for global nuclear disarmament, an environmentalist, and one of the largest landowners in the United States.
He made significant contributions to reintroducing bison to the American West and even created the cartoon "Captain Planet" to educate children about environmental concepts.
However, what truly made Turner famous worldwide was his bold vision to launch 24-hour global live news broadcasting.
The importance of 24-hour news channels began to be recognized with the outbreak of the Persian Gulf War in 1990. This was the first time in history that a war was broadcast live, and at that time, only CNN provided it.
In 1991, Turner was named TIME magazine's Person of the Year for "influencing the dynamics of events and making audiences in 150 countries real-time witnesses to history."
Turner eventually sold his business to Time Warner and subsequently withdrew from the industry, but he always took pride in CNN, calling it his life's "greatest achievement."
Mark Thompson, CNN's Global Chairman and CEO, stated in a statement: "Ted (Turner) was an extremely dedicated and loyal leader, bold and fearless, always willing to trust his instincts and judgment."
"He was always the spiritual core of CNN. Ted was a giant, and we all stand on his shoulders. Today, we will collectively remember him and his impact on our lives and the world."
In 2018, more than a month before his 80th birthday, Turner publicly disclosed that he suffered from Lewy body dementia. In early 2025, he was hospitalized for mild pneumonia and later recovered in a rehabilitation center.
After the news of Turner's death, Donald Trump posted a tribute on his social media platform "Truth Social."
Trump wrote: "(He was) one of the greatest figures in broadcasting history, and my friend. Whenever I needed him, he was always there, always willing to fight for a good cause!"
Turner had three marriages during his lifetime, one of which was to Hollywood actress Jane Fonda. He is survived by five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. (Compiled by: Yang Chao-yen) 1150507