WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – President Donald Trump is describing Ted Turner as one of the all time greats. Turner took a family advertising business and turned it into a global icon, impacting journalism and politics world wide. Turner died Tuesday at age 87 from complications of dementia.
The Washington Bureau for CNN is in the heart of the capital city – just blocks from the U.S. Capitol, behind Union Station.
Now, Ted Turner is being remembered on platforms which didn’t exist four decades ago when he launched CNN and completely changed television.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Ted Turner was one of the greats of all time.
The president added that Turner was one of the “Greats of Broadcast History,” even though Turner made his mark with the Cable News Network – CNN. The president also called him good friend who was always willing to fight for a good cause.
The Georgia delegation weighed in, posting tributes to Turner on social media.
Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) wrote that he was an Atlanta giant who, “changed the way we hold our policymakers and public servants accountable.”
Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) cited Ted Turner’s iconic nickname, “the mouth of the South”, saying he was an American legend and true Georgia icon.
Frank Sesno served as CNN’s Washington Bureau chief for years, “his idea was always that if people could hear more, understand more, be more informed, they would connect better, be more empathetic, and we’d have a more peaceful world. Maybe naive, maybe a little simplistic. But he really believed that.”
Ted Turner was celebrated multiple times for his achievements in business, media and sports.
In 1997, the National Constitution Center gave its Liberty Medal to Ted Turner, saying CNN and its founder, “set standards which amplify democratic liberties.” In Turner’s acceptance speech, he noted that his goal was to just show the facts.
Copyright 2026 Gray DC. All rights reserved.


