We all knew this was coming.

Especially after CNN got their butts handed to them in court last week -- a jury found the network liable for defamation and handed the plaintiff, veteran Zachary Young, $5 million in damages. After CNN's attorney (who did himself no favors in front of the judge and jury) argued the station's finances were not good in an attempt to minimize punitive damages, the writing was all but on the wall.

Now the layoffs are coming

Oof.

Here's what CNBC says:

Warner Bros. Discovery’s CNN announced Thursday it is cutting about 6% of its total staff, or about 210 employees, as it refocuses the business around a global digital audience.

CNN CEO Mark Thompson announced the job losses in a memo to staff Thursday, confirming CNBC’s reporting Wednesday that cuts were coming. In the memo, Thompson noted CNN doesn’t expect total headcount to fall 'much' this year because the company plans to invest $70 million in new digital plans.

'I know that whatever the total number of job losses, the impact on the individuals involved can be immense,' Thompson wrote in the memo, obtained by CNBC. 'The process of change is essential if we’re to thrive in the future, but I both acknowledge and regret its very real human consequences.'

And millions of dollars in defamation lawsuit payouts doesn't help things.

All media had to do was not be shills for the Democratic Party.

This writer feels for the lower level staff who are on the chopping block thanks to guys like Jake Tapper.

It does not.

What a novel concept.

CNN should give this a shot.

The grift only lasts so long.

And defamation suits are costly.

It'd be a refreshing change of pace.

They can't fathom a world in which the average American is right and they are not.

All we want is a fair and balanced media. Call out Democrats, call out Republicans, and report the truth.

Social media is the new media.

He sure does.

If CNN wants to 'modernize' its business, it should try reporting news.