ABC News settled a defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump for $15 million, including a charitable contribution to Trump’s presidential library and legal fees. The suit stemmed from anchor George Stephanopoulos inaccurately stating Trump was “found liable for rape” regarding E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuits, a claim rejected by the court. This settlement, reached before scheduled depositions, has drawn significant criticism from both Democrats and Republicans who accuse ABC News of cowardice and prioritizing profit over journalistic integrity. Legal experts also questioned the network’s decision to settle rather than defend itself in court.
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Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong blocked publication of an op-ed critical of President-elect Trump’s cabinet picks, demanding a counterpoint editorial be published simultaneously. This action, following previous interventions like withdrawing an endorsement of Kamala Harris, reflects Soon-Shiong’s efforts to shift the paper towards a more “balanced,” less liberal perspective. The incident sparked staff outrage and further fueled concerns about billionaire influence over media narratives and editorial independence. This pattern mirrors similar actions by other media owners, illustrating a broader trend of shifting media stances towards Trump.
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Following Greg Kelly’s on-air criticism of Pete Hegseth’s suitability for Secretary of Defense, Newsmax faced pressure from President-elect Trump’s team. Newsmax subsequently issued a directive to its staff forbidding negative coverage of Hegseth, instructing them to focus solely on positive aspects. This directive, coupled with threats of termination, followed reports that Trump contacted Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy regarding the segment. The network denied Trump’s involvement, though internal sources indicated significant concern.
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President-elect Trump’s cabinet selections notably prioritize individuals with television and entertainment backgrounds, a departure from traditional government appointments. This includes prominent figures from Fox News such as Pete Hegseth (Defense Secretary), and others from various media platforms. Several nominees, including Dr. Mehmet Oz and Mike Huckabee, bring unconventional experience to key roles overseeing health and foreign policy, respectively. This trend contrasts sharply with President Biden’s focus on cabinet diversity, highlighting a significant difference in leadership approaches.
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The investigation into the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s murder is progressing, with recovered DNA from a water bottle and energy bar wrapper, and a partial fingerprint from a suspected burner phone, submitted for analysis. Initial comparisons against law enforcement databases have yielded no matches. Further evidence includes surveillance footage, and ammunition with unusual markings found at the scene. These findings, along with images of an unmasked person of interest, are crucial for identifying and prosecuting the suspect.
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Republican efforts to defund public media, ongoing for decades, are intensifying due to accusations of liberal bias and the changing media landscape. This new wave of opposition differs from previous attempts, as it’s fueled by a belief that public radio is no longer necessary in the digital age and that taxpayer funds are better spent elsewhere. While public media possesses established lobbying strategies and can leverage support from rural and moderate areas, the internal struggle to adapt to digital platforms and monetize new content hampers its ability to secure its future. The financial instability of several major public radio stations further exacerbates this challenge.
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In a recent “Meet the Press” interview, Donald Trump reiterated his intention to pursue perceived political enemies, though he claimed he wouldn’t directly order his appointees, Kash Patel and Pam Bondi, to do so. Despite professing non-interference, his comments suggested otherwise, leaving room for plausible deniability. While expressing willingness to work with Democrats on the “Dreamers” issue and indicating he wouldn’t fire Jerome Powell, he remained vague on healthcare and abortion access, offering only “concepts” of plans. Trump’s continued denial of the 2020 election results highlighted the persistent challenge of fact-checking him during interviews.
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Thiessen and his co-author advocate for a Biden pardon of Trump, arguing that it’s necessary for national unity despite the numerous charges against him. This call, however, is viewed as a strategic move to further entangle Biden in Trump’s actions rather than a genuine effort at reconciliation. The authors’ prioritization of unity is expected to disappear once Trump regains power, mirroring past instances where similar calls for bipartisan cooperation were selectively applied to Democrats. This pattern suggests a cynical manipulation of the concept of national unity for political gain.
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Republican consumers, just a few months after vehemently criticizing the economy and soaring inflation, are now seemingly giddy about the current state of affairs. Record-breaking Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, along with the best Thanksgiving weekend box office ever, paint a picture of robust consumer spending. This stands in stark contrast to their previous pronouncements of economic doom.
This sudden shift in sentiment is baffling to many. The same individuals who were previously vocal about the struggles of affording groceries and gas now appear unconcerned, suggesting that perhaps the economic anxieties weren’t as genuine as they claimed. Some observers posit that the focus was never truly on economic policy but rather on electing a candidate aligned with their social and cultural views – a candidate who, coincidentally, shares their perspectives on issues such as homophobia, transphobia, racism, and misogyny.… Continue reading
Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense is in jeopardy following reports in the New York Times and The New Yorker detailing allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and boorish behavior. While Fox News, Hegseth’s former employer, has largely avoided covering these stories, Newsmax openly calls for his withdrawal. The accusations include emails from Hegseth’s mother condemning his treatment of women and a whistleblower report detailing misconduct at veteran’s groups he led. This silence from Fox News contrasts sharply with Newsmax’s vocal opposition to the nomination.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood