During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a high-ranking CNN executive reportedly lobbied then-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to reopen movie theaters, advocating for the network's parent company's financial interests while CNN simultaneously broadcasted alarming pandemic coverage. This revelation comes from a recent report detailing previously undisclosed communications.

In September 2020, with COVID-19 dominating cable news cycles and CNN prominently displaying its death tracker, the network's parent company, WarnerMedia, had a vested interest in the reopening of cinemas to coincide with the release of Christopher Nolan's "Tenet." It was during this time that the executive, Allison Gollust, then CNN's marketing chief, allegedly contacted Governor Cuomo regarding the matter.

Gollust's involvement with Cuomo has come under scrutiny, particularly given her and then-CNN president Jeff Zucker's prior professional relationship with the governor. Both Zucker and Gollust later left CNN, initially attributed to an undisclosed relationship, a narrative widely questioned within the network. Subsequent investigations revealed violations of company policies related to news handling, further complicating the narrative surrounding their departures.

The recent Semafor report, citing undisclosed text messages, suggests Gollust's communication with Cuomo went beyond simply representing CNN. She allegedly advocated directly for WarnerMedia's business interests, requesting the governor speak with WarnerMedia's studio head, Ann Sarnoff, about the theater closures. According to the report, Cuomo subsequently contacted Sarnoff, who then lobbied him to ease restrictions on movie theaters.

The fallout from this period continues to impact CNN. The network, now under Warner Bros. Discovery after a merger and spin-off, recently dismissed Chris Licht, Zucker's successor. Licht had previously drawn criticism for downplaying CNN's COVID coverage intensity, further straining relations with staff.

The unearthed text exchange, while seemingly a relic of the past, challenges prior claims surrounding the 2021 CNN scandals. The revelation of WarnerMedia leveraging its relationship with the governor contradicts their expressed surprise at the executives' close ties to Cuomo. This incident raises questions about the intersection of media, political influence, and corporate interests, particularly during times of crisis.

Both Zucker and Gollust are expected to testify in upcoming arbitration proceedings with former CNN host Chris Cuomo, who is pursuing legal action against the network for wrongful termination.