CNN chief Jeff Zucker: ‘I’m still very interested in politics’

CNN president Jeff Zucker said in an interview that aired Monday he’s “still very interested in politics” and may run for office one day.

Former Obama senior adviser David Axelrod, who serves as a CNN political analyst and host, interviewed Zucker for more than a hour for his “Axe Files” podcast. At the end of the conversation, Axelrod asked the former NBC Universal president where he believes he’ll be in five years. 

{mosads}After joking that he would go work for the Miami Dolphins if asked, Zucker, 53, broached a potential dive into the political arena. 

“Look, I still harbor somewhere in my gut that I’m still very interested in politics,” Zucker said. 

“You turned down the opportunity to work for Al Gore in 2000,” Axelrod noted. “You’ve talked in the past about possibly running for office.” 

“So I’m still interested in that,” Zucker confirmed. “It’s something that I would consider.” 

“Well, give me a call if you’re thinking about it,” quipped Axelrod, who served as former President Obama’s chief campaign strategist. 

“You can get me in touch with the right people,” Zucker noted.

Zucker took medical leave in July to have elective heart surgery to correct a condition he’s had for 10 years, CNN announced at the time. He returned to work in September.

The former “Today” show producer, who began his media career as a researcher for NBC Sports in 1986 before quickly become the executive producer of the “Today” show at age 26, renewed his contract in June with CNN through the 2020 election.  

Zucker was reportedly up for a position in the Gore administration if the 2000 Democratic presidential nominee had defeated George W. Bush, who went on to win narrowly after being awarded the state of Florida following weeks of court battles.

President Trump, who has known Zucker since his time on NBC’s “The Apprentice,” frequently attacks CNN and its head.

“The hatred and extreme bias of me by @CNN has clouded their thinking and made them unable to function,” the president tweeted in August. “But actually, as I have always said, this has been going on for a long time. Little Jeff Z has done a terrible job, his ratings suck, & AT&T should fire him to save credibility!”