Blog
America Mourns the Passing of Ted Turner
May
The air feels a little heavier across America today. On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the news broke that Ted Turner, the maverick who didn’t just change the media he reinvented it passed away at the age of 87. For a man often called “The Mouth of the South” and “Captain Outrageous,” his departure marks the end of an era for a nation that grew up watching his vision unfold on screen.
Ted Turner was more than a businessman; he was a force of nature. From founding CNN, the world’s first 24-hour news cycle, to his massive philanthropic efforts with the United Nations and his love for the Atlanta Braves, Ted lived life at full throttle. He was the quintessential American dreamer who took a small billboard company and turned it into a global empire.
Americans are remembering him today not just for the billions he made, but for the bold, brash, and unapologetic way he moved through the world. Whether he was winning the America’s Cup or donating $1 billion to save the world, Ted did it with a flair that was uniquely American.
A Tribute from an Old Friend: Donald Trump
Among the many voices rising to honor Turner was his long-time friend, President Donald Trump. Taking to Truth Social, Trump shared a heartfelt yet characteristically candid tribute to the media pioneer:
“Ted Turner, one of the Greats of All Time, just died. He was a friend of mine. Whenever I needed him, he was there, always willing to fight for a good cause.”
Trump praised Turner as a “pioneer of broadcast history,” calling his legacy “larger than life.” While the President didn’t shy away from his modern-day critiques of the network Ted founded, his respect for the man himself was clear. He remembered Ted as a “fearless leader” who “trusted his gut” and changed the way the world communicates forever.
The Digital Wake: Social Media Reacts
As the news spread, social media became a digital memorial, a testament to how many lives Ted touched across different generations.
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On X (formerly Twitter): The hashtag #TedTurner trended instantly. Media veterans shared stories of the early, “wild west” days of CNN. One viral post read: “Ted didn’t just give us news; he gave us a front-row seat to history. Rest in peace to the man who never slept so we could stay informed.”
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Instagram: Sports fans posted vintage photos of Ted with the Atlanta Braves, celebrating the 1995 World Series win. To many in the South, he wasn’t just a mogul he was the man who put Atlanta on the map.
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LinkedIn: Business leaders and philanthropists highlighted his $1 billion pledge to the UN, noting that he “made giving cool” long before the Silicon Valley era of philanthropy.
The Final Sign-Off
Ted Turner once famously joked, “If only I had a little humility, I’d be perfect.” We didn’t want him perfect; we wanted him exactly as he was bold, visionary, and tireless.
Today, as flags fly at half-staff at CNN Center and across his massive ranches in the West, America says goodbye to a giant. Ted Turner didn’t just report the news; he was the news. And the world is a much quieter place without him.
We developed this t-shirt design to celebrate Ted Turner here
