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Category: Media
February 26, 2025
William Upton
Media

Bezos Says WaPo Opinion Page Will Defend ‘Personal Liberties & Free Markets’ — Sparking Leftist Outrage.

Online retail and space technology billionaire Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, announced changes to the newspaper’s opinion section on Wednesday, stating it would now focus on promoting “personal liberties and free markets.” The move is a notable shift from The Washington Post‘s more liberal internationalist positions and promotion of political progressivism over recent decades.

The move prompted the resignation of opinion editor David Shipley. Additionally, Bezos’s announcement has been met with pushback and dissatisfaction from the newspaper’s reporting staff and subscribers. “Massive encroachment by Jeff Bezos into The Washington Post’s opinion section today – makes clear dissenting views will not be published or tolerated there,” economics reporter Jeff Stein—one The Washington Post‘s more notable journalists in Washington, D.C., wrote in response. He added: “I still have not felt encroachment on my journalism on the news side of coverage, but if Bezos tries interfering with the news side I will be quitting immediately and letting you know.”

THE ‘LAST STRAW.’ 

Meanwhile, subscribers posted their cancellation requests on social media. Attorney and CNN, NBC, and Fox News legal analyst Jeffrey Gold declared the announcement the “Last straw” and posted a screenshot of his alleged cancellation notice. Likewise, the anonymous X (formerly Twitter) account Sundae Gurl, which boasts well over 100,000 followers, posted that they were canceling their subscription and declared that Bezos had “picked a side” in choosing to defend free markets and individual liberties. The sentiment reflected a great deal of the political left’s reaction to Bezos’s decision—raising the question as to why the American left now believes personal liberties to be an issue purely in the domain of the political right.

Not all Washington Post employees were as concerned as Stein. Dan Lamonthe, a military affairs reporter at the newspaper, assured the audience that the core mission of delivering hard-hitting journalism remained unchanged. Additionally, The Washington Post‘s publisher, Will Lewis, addressed the staff, denying any political bias behind the mandate and describing it as a clear statement of the newspaper’s values.

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Online retail and space technology billionaire Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, announced changes to the newspaper's opinion section on Wednesday, stating it would now focus on promoting "personal liberties and free markets." The move is a notable shift from The Washington Post's more liberal internationalist positions and promotion of political progressivism over recent decades. show more
February 26, 2025
Media

Trump Hints at NEW LAW to Crack Down on ‘Anonymous Sources.’

President Donald Trump suggested he may push for legal action against anonymous sourcing in journalism, calling it “made up, defamatory fiction” and hinting at the possibility of a new law to curb its use.

“As a President who is being given credit for having the Best Opening Month of any President in history, quite naturally, here come the Fake books and stories with the so-called ‘anonymous,’ or ‘off the record,’ quotes,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He accused the media and book publishers of fabricating sources to attack him. “At some point I am going to sue some of these dishonest authors and book publishers, or even media in general, to find out whether or not these ‘anonymous sources’ even exist, which they largely do not,” he said.

Trump has long criticized the use of unnamed sources, arguing that corporate media shields itself from accountability by relying on unverifiable claims. “They are made up, defamatory fiction, and a big price should be paid for this blatant dishonesty,” he declared.

While Trump has previously called for media reforms, his latest remarks suggest he may take direct legal action—or even push for legislative changes. “I’ll do it as a service to our Country. Who knows, maybe we will create some NICE NEW LAW!!!” he wrote, hinting at potential reforms targeting media anonymity.

The idea of restricting anonymous sources would likely face fierce opposition from corporate media outlets, which routinely use them to push narratives without evidence. Trump’s statement suggests he is prepared for that fight, reinforcing his commitment to exposing media corruption.

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President Donald Trump suggested he may push for legal action against anonymous sourcing in journalism, calling it “made up, defamatory fiction” and hinting at the possibility of a new law to curb its use. show more
February 25, 2025
William Upton
Media
Politics

Trump White House Kicks Press Correspondents’ Association to the Curb.

President Donald J. Trump‘s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, announced at Tuesday’s press briefing that the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) will no longer determine what media outlets will comprise the White House press pool. In the past, the WHCA has held a monopoly on White House media access—though President Trump has moved swiftly to end that control by initially inviting independent and alternative media outlets—like podcasters—to attend press briefings and travel pools for senior officials and cabinet members.

“The President and this entire White House are committed to ensuring the American people continue to receive this same level of historic transparency, access, and visibility,” Leavitt stated at Tuesday’s White House press briefing before continuing: “As you all know, for decades, a group of D.C..-based journalists, the White House Correspondents’ Association, has long dictated which journalists get to ask questions of the President of the United States in these most intimate spaces. Not anymore.”

“I am proud to announce that we are going to give the power back to the people who read your papers, who watch television shows and listen to your radio stations. Moving forward, the White House press pool will be determined by the White House press team,” the White House press secretary said, adding: “Legacy outlets who have participated in the press pool for decades will still be allowed to join, fear not, but we will also be offering the privilege to well deserving outlets who have never been allowed to share in this awesome responsibility.”

The WHCA—which turned 111 years old on Tuesday—has long controlled which media outlets have access to the President of the United States and senior White House officials. This has led to an environment in which independent media has been frozen out of these traditional avenues of access in favor of corporate and legacy media organizations.

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President Donald J. Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, announced at Tuesday's press briefing that the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) will no longer determine what media outlets will comprise the White House press pool. In the past, the WHCA has held a monopoly on White House media access—though President Trump has moved swiftly to end that control by initially inviting independent and alternative media outlets—like podcasters—to attend press briefings and travel pools for senior officials and cabinet members. show more
February 24, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Media

‘My Show Had Value!’ — Joy Reid Melts Down After MSNBC Axes Her.

Leftist commentator Joy Reid has had a meltdown on camera following news that her MSNBC show, The ReidOut, has been axed. “My show had value!” Reid sobs, adding, “What I was doing had value! Had value!” By way of example, she cites her promotion of Black Lives Matter and the anti-white 1619 Project, among other far-left causes.

Reid also boasted that she “went hard for immigrants who’ve done nothing but come to this country like my parents did and try to make a life and defended them,” Reid argued. Infamously, she attacked the Laken Riley Act following the murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley in 2024, insisting “migrant crime is negligible.”

She also praised herself for attacking President Donald J. Trump and for “talking about Gaza and the fact that we as the American people have a right to object, to have a right to object, to little babies being bombed.”

“[A]nd where I come down on that is I’m not sorry,” she concluded.

Reid was previously asked to take a pay cut to remain on MSNBC by the network’s new president, Rebecca Kutler. Since her ouster, the departure of another longtime host, Ayman Mohyeldin, has been confirmed. Sister company NBC has also retired network veteran Chuck Todd, as parent company Comcast seeks to cut costs and potentially sell off MSNBC entirely.

WATCH:

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Leftist commentator Joy Reid has had a meltdown on camera following news that her MSNBC show, The ReidOut, has been axed. "My show had value!" Reid sobs, adding, "What I was doing had value! Had value!" By way of example, she cites her promotion of Black Lives Matter and the anti-white 1619 Project, among other far-left causes. show more
February 24, 2025
Media

MSNBC Cancels ANOTHER Show a Day After Dropping Joy Reid.

Ayman Mohyeldin, a long-time MSNBC host, is the latest on-air fixture to lose their show as the leftwing network undergoes a broader programming upheaval. The National Pulse reported on Sunday that far-left host Joy Reid’s The ReidOut would cease airing later this week, with a panel show featuring Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele filling the time slot.

It is expected that Ayman Mohyeldin Reports will air its final episode on April 20. Staff members were informed of the show’s cancellation on Monday. The move comes amidst an ongoing restructuring of MSNBC’s programming by the network’s new president, Rebecca Kutler. In December, Kutler pressed Reid and host Stephanie Ruhle to take pay cuts in order to continue in their roles with the network.

During his 14-year tenure with MSNBC, Mohyeldin hosted multiple programs, including Morning Joe First Look. In 2021, he hosted a weekend evening show named after him.

The shake-up follows other significant changes within the broader NBC family. Chuck Todd, a high-profile anchor and former Meet The Press host, announced his departure from NBC after 18 years. Additionally, on Monday, NBC mainstay Lester Holt announced that he would be stepping down as the anchor of NBC Nightly News after nearly a decade. Holt will continue as the anchor of Dateline. 

Notably, NBC and MSNBC’s parent company, Comcast, has announced plans to sell off at least the latter of the two networks along with several other media properties. The divestment appears to have been influenced by MSNBC’s lagging viewership ratings, which have seen a significant drop in the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election.

Image by Harry Murphy/Web Summit Qatar via Sportsfile.

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Ayman Mohyeldin, a long-time MSNBC host, is the latest on-air fixture to lose their show as the leftwing network undergoes a broader programming upheaval. The National Pulse reported on Sunday that far-left host Joy Reid's The ReidOut would cease airing later this week, with a panel show featuring Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele filling the time slot. show more
February 24, 2025
Media

Lester Holt Steps Down as Anchor of NBC Nightly News.

Lester Holt, the long-standing anchor of NBC Nightly News, announced on Monday he will step down from the role in the coming months. Holt, who has served as the anchor for nearly a decade, stated he plans to continue at NBC by taking on expanded responsibilities with Dateline, where he is currently the show’s anchor.

In a memo to colleagues, Holt, 65, expressed gratitude for his time on the program. He indicated he would remain in his current position until the start of summer, although the network has not yet named a successor.

Holt took over the anchor position in 2015. His appointment came after the previous anchor, Brian Williams, faced controversy over embellishments in a story about events in Iraq. Initially, Holt filled in on the weekend edition and was later appointed to the role permanently after Williams’s suspension and subsequent move to MSNBC.

NBC has already ousted Chuck Todd from the network. Indeed, Holt’s announcement occurs amidst a wave of transitions in various news divisions, with several veteran news figures recently exiting their positions. For instance, far-left mainstay Joy Reid is out at MSNBC, and Jim Acosta is out at CNN after significant alterations to his time slot.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Lester Holt, the long-standing anchor of NBC Nightly News, announced on Monday he will step down from the role in the coming months. Holt, who has served as the anchor for nearly a decade, stated he plans to continue at NBC by taking on expanded responsibilities with Dateline, where he is currently the show's anchor. show more
joy reid
February 23, 2025
Media

Joy Reid’s MSNBC Show CANCELLED.

Joy Reid’s tenure as host of “The ReidOut” will conclude this week, marking a significant shift at MSNBC. Reid has led the 7 p.m. program since 2020, but changes under the new network president, Rebecca Kutler, have led to her departure. A panel show featuring Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele will replace Reid’s slot. Steele is a failed former Republican National Committee chairman who now makes money by helping the left attack the right.

Kutler’s restructuring efforts are driven by major ratings drops. According to The New York Times, while MSNBC surpasses CNN in viewership, it continues to trail behind Fox News. As Variety reports, MSNBC and CNN have experienced viewership declines following Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Both networks are making programming adjustments in response.

In addition to Reid’s exit, Rachel Maddow’s schedule is set to reduce. Maddow is currently set to host five nights a week until the end of Trump’s initial 100 days back in office. Her time slot was originally planned to transition to Alex Wagner. However, Kutler is now considering Jen Psaki, a former Biden White House press secretary and known circle-backer, for the position.

These programming shifts come as MSNBC operates as a standalone entity separate from NBCUniversal under Comcast’s management. Kutler, who assumed leadership in February, is implementing widespread changes. Variety reports her plans involve adjustments to the daytime lineup, including a search for new Washington correspondents and a bureau chief. She is considering journalists from outlets like The Washington Post and Politico and is exploring options for promoting existing MSNBC contributors to anchor roles.

MSNBC’s editorial positions, however, appear unchanged. The network remains extreme left in its perspective and continues to peddle falsehoods and hoaxes.

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Joy Reid's tenure as host of "The ReidOut" will conclude this week, marking a significant shift at MSNBC. Reid has led the 7 p.m. program since 2020, but changes under the new network president, Rebecca Kutler, have led to her departure. A panel show featuring Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele will replace Reid's slot. Steele is a failed former Republican National Committee chairman who now makes money by helping the left attack the right. show more
February 10, 2025
Media
News

Fox Acquires Leading Podcast Firm Used by Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and More.

Fox Corporation announced on Monday its acquisition of Red Seat Ventures, a digital media company behind podcasts for Tucker Carlson, Piers Morgan, Megyn Kelly, and others. Chris and Kevin Balfe, who founded Red Seat, will continue to manage the company independently within Fox’s Tubi Media Group, focused on digital and streaming services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition signifies Fox’s strategic move into the expanding online “creator economy.” This trend has seen media personalities who previously depended on traditional corporate distributors, such as Fox’s cable networks, developing their content through platforms like YouTube and SiriusXM.

Red Seat Ventures’ clientele also includes Dr. Phil, Nancy Grace, Bill O’Reilly, and Chris Hansen. Additionally, the company is collaborating with The New York Post to develop a new podcast and audio division.

This new relationship reunites Carlson and O’Reilly with Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate, albeit indirectly. Both had previously hosted shows at Fox News, with Kelly also having been a significant presence before leaving for NBC in 2017.

Murdoch, 93, stepped down as Fox Corporation’s chairman at News Corp in 2023 and was succeeded by his son Lachlan. However, the elder Murdoch remains a board member of Fox Corporation.

Image by World Economic Forum/REUTERS/Denis Balibouse.

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Fox Corporation announced on Monday its acquisition of Red Seat Ventures, a digital media company behind podcasts for Tucker Carlson, Piers Morgan, Megyn Kelly, and others. Chris and Kevin Balfe, who founded Red Seat, will continue to manage the company independently within Fox's Tubi Media Group, focused on digital and streaming services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. show more
February 7, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Media
Politics

DOGE Doxxer Journo Is Former USAID Manager.

The journalist who doxxed a member of staff of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claiming they made racist remarks online, previously worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Katherine Long wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal this week, identifying Marko Elez, a 25-year-old member of tech billionaire Elon Musk’s DOGE team, as being behind deleted social media accounts that allegedly advocated racist positions. According to Long, Elez was behind an X account whose user joked about “normaliz[ing] Indian hate” and said they would not date outside of their ethnicity. Elez resigned from his position this week.

A short autobiography by Long from her time at the Seattle Times newspaper states, “Before matriculating at Columbia [University], I’d been working for the federal government, managing USAID projects in Central Asia.”

USAID has been a focus for DOGE in recent days, with Musk and his team revealing millions of dollars have been spent on bizarre projects, from transgender plays in Colombia to feeding al-Qaeda jihadists in Syria.

Long also previously worked for Business Insider and attempted to doxx online personality and health writer Raw Egg Nationalist (REN). She wrote a letter to local farm shops to pressure them into identifying REN. Just two weeks later, the George Soros-backed HOPE Not Hate organization publicly doxxed him.

Some have defended Elez, including Vice President J.D. Vance, who called for DOGE to bring him back.

“I obviously disagree with some of Elez’s posts, but I don’t think stupid social media activity should ruin a kid’s life. We shouldn’t reward journalists who try to destroy people. Ever,” Vance said on X.

Image by USAID.

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The journalist who doxxed a member of staff of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claiming they made racist remarks online, previously worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). show more
February 7, 2025
Wake Up Right
Media

Trump Cuts Off Biden-Era Cash Flow to Legacy News Outlets.

The Trump White House is terminating federal agency contracts with expensive legacy media outlets after Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency discovered “millions” in wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars.

The details: This week, DOGE discovered that the U.S. Agency for International Development had paid anti-Trump legacy media outlet POLITICO $8.4 million in fees in fiscal year 2024 alone. On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the press:

  • “I can confirm that the more than $8 million taxpayer dollars that have gone to essentially subsidizing subscriptions to Politico on the American taxpayers’ dime will no longer be happening.”

Pretty penny: Annual subscriptions to Politico Pro typically cost between $12,000 and $15,000 for three users.

Spending ramped up under Biden: During Joe Biden’s term, government agencies spent $26 million on POLITICO subscriptions. For perspective, under Trump’s first term, they spent a total of $6.5 million.

President Trump responded to the news on Truth Social, writing:

  • “THE LEFT WING “RAG,” KNOWN AS “POLITICO,” SEEMS TO HAVE RECEIVED $8,000,000. Did the New York Times receive money??? Who else did??? THIS COULD BE THE BIGGEST SCANDAL OF THEM ALL, PERHAPS THE BIGGEST IN HISTORY! THE DEMOCRATS CAN’T HIDE FROM THIS ONE. TOO BIG, TOO DIRTY!”

Hold up: Claims have been repeated that $8.2 million came from USAID. This is incorrect. However, the cash flow still came from other areas of the federal government.

  • The misattribution, unfortunately, gave the press an opening to run countless “fact checks” on the story.

Politico responds: The company’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief put out a memo to staff that claimed the outlet “has never been a beneficiary of government programs or subsidies.”

Big picture: While the subscription payments are not technically “subsidies,” some rightfully view them as in-kind donations to a friendly media outlet. If it was revealed that the Trump administration was spending $8 million per year on subscriptions to Breitbart or The National Pulse, do you think the press would take issue with it?

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The Trump White House is terminating federal agency contracts with expensive legacy media outlets after Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency discovered "millions" in wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars. show more