Discovery CEO David Zaslav supported CNN CEO Chris Licht during an investor conference Thursday as tension at the network rises over the decision to air a live Donald Trump town hall packed with his supporters.
Zaslav continues to be supportive of CNN's decision to host the Trump town hall, according to a person familiar with his thinking.
"He's the frontrunner — he has to be on our network," Zaslav said on CNBC's "Squawk Box."
Amanpour said she met with Licht this week to convey her disappointment with airing a Trump town hall in the format in which it happened.
Amanpour is the first significant CNN journalist to publicly criticize Licht and Zaslav's decision to air the town hall.