During an undercover conversation, CNN stage manager Pablo Parada shared candid views on several high-profile figures at the network and beyond. He claimed to have met Joe Biden twice and noted a clear mental decline between the meetings, stating that “everybody knew” about it internally during Biden’s presidency. Parada also suggested Jake Tapper was aware but didn’t acknowledge it publicly, despite having written about it.
He described Tapper’s off-camera frustration with excessive Trump coverage and said anchors like Tapper don’t control editorial direction, which is decided in morning calls involving top producers and even the CEO. Parada added that Tapper prefers chatting about personal matters, especially his book, which he was reportedly sensitive about after being mocked by Jon Stewart.
Internally, Parada revealed that CNN might be facing another ownership change, with rumours of a potential sale following its transitions from Turner to AT&T, and now Warner Bros. Discovery. He also mentioned an alleged ultimatum given to anchor Kasie Hunt after multiple failed shows, and described Anderson Cooper as socially withdrawn with staff, yet noticeably more animated around high-profile guests.
