Jeff Zucker has announced that he is stepping down as CNN president and head of WarnerMedia's news and sports department, in a memo sent to staff admitting he did not reveal a consensual relationship with a close colleague.
Zucker said he admitted to having an affair during a network investigation into the behavior of Chris Cuomo, a CNN presenter who was fired in December for helping his brother, former New York governor Chris Cuomo, accused of sexual misconduct.
"As part of an investigation into Chris Cuomo's tenure on CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, with whom I have been working for 20 years," Zucker wrote in the memo.
"I'm admitted that this relationship has evolved in recent years. I should have revealed it when it started, but I did not. I was wrong. "Therefore, I am resigning from my duties today," he said.
The 56-year-old did not name his colleague in the memo, but the relationship was with Allison Golast, the network's marketing director, presenter Brian Stelter said today during the network's program, adding that she remains on CNN.
"Jeff and I have been close friends and colleagues for over 20 years," Stelter said, citing a separate memo sent by Golast today.
"Recently, our relationship changed during COVID. I'm sorry we did not reveal it at the right time. "I am incredibly proud of my tenure at CNN and I look forward to continuing the great work we do every day."
In a note to staff, WarnerMedia CEO Jason Killard wrote: "I have accepted the resignation of Jeff Zucker as President of WarnerMedia News and Sports and President of CNN Worldwide. Thanks to Jeff for his contribution over the last 9 years. "We will announce a plan for interim leadership soon," he added.
For his part, Donald Trump, whose CNN has been one of his favorite targets for years, welcomed the departure of a "world-class bastard." Zucker, who joined CNN in 2013, has become an iconic figure in the television industry due to his early success. He was an executive producer on NBC's Today show at the age of 21, then became president of NBC Entertainment.
Jeffrey Adam Zucker, as his full name is, was born and raised in Miami, has four children and lives in New York, according to a profile on CNN. He divorced his wife Karin in 2018.