Left-wing media outlet CNN has hired newly-retired Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-OH) as a “senior political commentator.”
Despite serving his constituents as a relatively conservative Congressman from 2011 to 2020, Kinzinger now fits right in at CNN after a post-January 6th rebrand that saw him become one of former President Trump’s loudest critics.
Kinzinger famously co-led the January 6 Committee, which recently referred President Trump to the Department of Justice for criminal charges.
Wednesday, shortly after news broke of Kinzinger’s hiring, CNN’s Erin Burnett invited him onto her show “Out Front,” welcoming him to the ailing network with open arms.
Adam Kinzinger is now a "senior political commentator" at CNN lmfao. pic.twitter.com/dKFCfHMHdp
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 5, 2023
CNN’s hiring of Kinzinger comes during trying times at the legacy network.
New CEO Chris Licht has reportedly worked to move CNN’s coverage to the middle – and away from Trump-focused content – as the company struggles to compete with Fox News.
In 2020, CNN brought in $717M in profits according to Pew Research, a meager figure compared to Fox News’ staggering and industry-leading $1.79B in profits.
It remains to be seen how Kinzinger fits into Licht’s plans for a revamped CNN, considering bashing Donald Trump has become the former Congressman’s entire personality, and his once ‘conservative’ views are a far cry from his new persona.
The Washington Examiner notes that ProPublica data shows Kinzinger voted with Rep. Steve King (R-IA) on 90% of issues from 2017 to 2018, before eventually dubbing King “an extremist.”
Aside from leading the ‘impeach Trump’ brigade alongside Liz Cheney, Kinzinger has also earned a reputation for crying in committee hearings and on the House floor.
During a 2021 January 6 Committee hearing, Kinzinger famously cried after hearing first-hand testimony from Capitol Police personnel.
