Tuesday, August 26, 2025
don lemon

Don Lemon Was Paid $24.5 Million When He Left CNN.

Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor who was released from the media network last year, has reportedly reached a multi-million dollar exit deal with his previous employers, as disclosed in a recent report by The Wrap. After being let go almost a year ago, it is alleged that Lemon’s separation agreement was finalized at an estimated value of $24.5 million, the equivalent of what he would have earned had he remained with CNN for the remainder of his contract, set to last another 3.5 years.

However, CNN has contested the reported sum of the payout, describing it as “incorrect” in a statement to People, though did not expand further on the matter. The resolution of the severance negotiations suggests the closure of Lemon’s chapter with CNN, leaving him fully compensated.

Since his departure, Lemon has moved onto another television network, pursuing a program mirroring the style of Tucker Carlson. The news of his substantial financial settlement follows the termination of Chris Licht, the executive responsible for Lemon’s dismissal. While no longer a part of CNN, Lemon’s conclusion seems advantageous, with him being propelled into a new venture armed with a significant wealth benefit.

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Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor who was released from the media network last year, has reportedly reached a multi-million dollar exit deal with his previous employers, as disclosed in a recent report by The Wrap. After being let go almost a year ago, it is alleged that Lemon's separation agreement was finalized at an estimated value of $24.5 million, the equivalent of what he would have earned had he remained with CNN for the remainder of his contract, set to last another 3.5 years. show more
ny ag

Trump Offers $100 Million Bond During NY Appeal.

Former President Donald Trump has proposed to an appeals court to post a $100 million bond instead of the $454 million he owes from a civil fraud case held in New York. This proposal comes as his legal team requested a delay in enforcing penalties imposed on Trump and points to a deficit in the former President’s liquidity to cover the total penalty amount.

The filings by Trump’s representatives presented the view that the hefty judgment, in conjunction with a widespread prohibition on lending, would make it difficult to arrange for and post a full guarantee. Without acceptance of the bond by the appeals court or additional time granted to President Trump, the Attorney General of New York has the authority to seize Mr. Trump’s bank accounts and possibly take control of his New York properties based on state law.

In her counter-filing, New York Attorney General Letitia James disputed the offer, stating that there was no merit to the defendant’s view that a full bond or deposit was unnecessary. She dismissed the proposed partial guarantee of less than a quarter of the judgment amount, highlighting that the defendants lack sufficient liquid assets to satisfy the judgment. Trump also faces another cost as he owes $83.3 million to writer E. Jean Carroll after being found liable for defaming her.

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Former President Donald Trump has proposed to an appeals court to post a $100 million bond instead of the $454 million he owes from a civil fraud case held in New York. This proposal comes as his legal team requested a delay in enforcing penalties imposed on Trump and points to a deficit in the former President’s liquidity to cover the total penalty amount. show more

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Wants To Change ‘Sanctuary City’ Status.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is calling for a change in the city’s sanctuary laws as the city continues to buckle under the pressure of the migrant crisis.

“We should not be allowing people who are repeatedly committing crimes to remain here and we cannot collaborate with ICE in the process,” Adams said during a press conference on Tuesday. The comments follow a similar statement Adams made on Monday: “If you commit a felony, a violent act, we should be able to turn you over to ICE and have you deported.” New York City’s ‘sanctuary’ laws currently prohibit city officials from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The influx of illegal aliens into New York City has brought with it an influx of serious crime. In January, security cameras captured a group of migrants assaulting police officers in Times Square. This month, the NYPD said over 5,000 of its officers had been injured due to the migrant crisis. Last week, an illegal alien stabbed a 17-year-old boy in Times Square, and a group of migrants in a tent shelter on Randall’s Island attacked police officers in an incident that nearly became a riot.

In addition to skyrocketing crime, the migrant crisis has pushed city resources to the limits, even seeing students removed from their own schools to make room for illegal aliens. Earlier this month, Mayor Adams said the city was “full” and could not accept more migrants.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams is calling for a change in the city's sanctuary laws as the city continues to buckle under the pressure of the migrant crisis. show more

Paul Krugman Says ‘White Rural Rage’ Is ‘Single Greatest Threat Facing American Democracy.’

New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has declared, “white rural rage is arguably the single greatest threat facing American democracy” in an op-ed where he also admits that “at some level, I still don’t get the politics” of white rural Americans.

Krugman made the remarks in a review of White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy, a screed by left-wing journalist Paul Waldman, an MSNBC columnist, and left-wing academic Thomas Schaller, previously featured by the likes of The Colbert Report.

Seemingly attempting to be charitable, Krugman admits “progress isn’t painless” and that the consequences of the changes wrought on rural America in recent years have been “devastating economically and socially.” He blames “technology” as the principal cause, reluctantly admitting “imports” from places like China have also played some role.

Krugman goes on to argue, however, that “metropolitan areas with large numbers of highly educated workers” have been subsidizing their benighted rural countrymen through “Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and more.”

He then mocks those same rural Americans as dupes of “Donald Trump, a huckster from Queens who offers little other than validation for their resentment,” lamenting the fact their “white rural rage” will likely be “misdirected” against Joe Biden in November.

“[S]mall-town America is supposed to be filled with hard-working people who adhere to traditional values, not like those degenerate urbanites on welfare, but the economic and social reality doesn’t match this self-image,” he claims, adding defensively that he expects to be accused of sneering for his op-ed: “Draw attention to some of these realities, and you’ll be accused of being a snooty urban elitist. I’m sure responses to this column will be … interesting.”

Krugman also praises New York City as “relatively safe.”

He concludes he “still [finds it] hard to understand” why white rural voters support Trump.

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New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has declared, "white rural rage is arguably the single greatest threat facing American democracy" in an op-ed where he also admits that "at some level, I still don’t get the politics" of white rural Americans. show more

It’s the Border, Stupid: Immigration Now Americans’ Top Concern.

Immigration is now rated the most important problem facing the United States for the first time since 2019 and only the fourth time since Gallup began polling the public on the issue in 1981.

In January, immigration was rated as America’s second-most pressing issue, named by 20 percent of poll respondents against 21 who identified “Government” as the country’s top problem. Both would have rated behind inflation, at 13 percent, and the “economy in general,” at 12 percent, if they were combined.

February polling saw immigration surge into a clear first place, ahead of “Government” at 28 percent to 20 percent and well ahead of inflation and the economy in general, at 11 and 12 percent, even when combined.

Gallup also found an absolute majority of Americans, 55 percent, now say “large numbers of immigrants entering the United States illegally” are a “critical threat” to the United States — a record high, five points clear of the previous record set in 2004.

A further 31 percent said illegal immigration is a significant threat, against just 14 percent who said it is not a significant threat at all.

Even among Democrats, who are far less concerned by illegal immigration than Republicans, the share of poll respondents describing it as a critical threat has risen from 20 percent in 2023 to 29 percent.

This may be a consequence of the southern border crisis beginning to shift northward, with illegal aliens arriving in Democrat strongholds such as New York City and Chicago in large numbers, draining public resources and sometimes involving themselves in high-profile crimes.

Source: Gallup.
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Immigration is now rated the most important problem facing the United States for the first time since 2019 and only the fourth time since Gallup began polling the public on the issue in 1981. show more

WATCH: Kassam Describes the Danger of Knee-Jerk NeverTrumpism to Jack Posobiec.

During an episode of Human Events Daily, host Jack Posobiec and guest Raheem Kassam discussed the perceived discrepancies in the U.S. government’s prioritization of geopolitical concerns, such as the war in Ukraine, compared with domestic issues like illegal immigration. In particular, the conversation revolved around the murder case of 20-year-old Laken Riley, allegedly committed by an illegal immigrant. The rhetoric of the dialogue called into question the government’s commitment to local law enforcement and public security, expressed through Posobiec’s comparison of international ventures and local order.

Kassam offered his views on the ideological push-and-pull dynamics between the Left and the Right. In his observations, Kassam articulated the notion that the Left reacts oppositionally to any policy stance or interest expressed by the Right, provided it is perceived beneficial for the left bloc. He referred to such behavior as “psyops” or psychological operations. He suggested this strategy is not only implemented on a political level but extends to platforms like TikTok and international alliances such as NATO.

Further illustrating his point, Kassam drew comparisons with the divisive issue of abortion. Citing the potential backlash former president Donald Trump might receive whether he endorsed or opposed abortions, Kassam underscored his belief that certain groups, described as the “globalist left”, the “progressive left”, and the “corporate class,” consistently opposed Trump’s positions. Regardless of the stance, the opposition seemed to be a natural response, according to Kassam.

WATCH: 

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During an episode of Human Events Daily, host Jack Posobiec and guest Raheem Kassam discussed the perceived discrepancies in the U.S. government's prioritization of geopolitical concerns, such as the war in Ukraine, compared with domestic issues like illegal immigration. In particular, the conversation revolved around the murder case of 20-year-old Laken Riley, allegedly committed by an illegal immigrant. The rhetoric of the dialogue called into question the government's commitment to local law enforcement and public security, expressed through Posobiec’s comparison of international ventures and local order. show more

Mehdi Hasan Launches ‘Zeteo’ Media Company… Which is Currently Just a Substack Account.

Former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan is launching his own digital media company. Hasan aims for the platform to cater to underrepresented left-wing views, filling what he recognizes as a “gap in the market” among progressive audiences hungry for content. The venture, dubbed Zeteo, aims to be a source of unvarnished truth, even if, in Mr. Hasan’s words, “it’s uncomfortable, even if it bothers people, even if it hinders access, even if it shakes the apple cart.”

While comparable to other media startups by conservative personalities, Hasan differentiates his enterprise by stressing it will not be overly centered on his personal brand, in contrast to the Tucker Carlson Network. Instead, Zeteo, which is set to cost $6 per month, will feature diverse contributors, written content, and podcasts. The startup begins its initial rollout this week, with the official launch scheduled for April via Substack.

Mr. Hasan’s venture into digital media follows the termination of his Sunday show on MSNBC, part of a broader reshuffle within the network’s lineup. He has since joined The Guardian as a contributor.

Hasan has courted controversy throughout his career. The British-born Hasan once gave a sermon in which he called non-Muslims “cattle” who “live their lives as animals.” His final months at MSNBC were marked by radical anti-Israel views and statements, which continued after his firing from the network.

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Former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan is launching his own digital media company. Hasan aims for the platform to cater to underrepresented left-wing views, filling what he recognizes as a "gap in the market" among progressive audiences hungry for content. The venture, dubbed Zeteo, aims to be a source of unvarnished truth, even if, in Mr. Hasan's words, "it's uncomfortable, even if it bothers people, even if it hinders access, even if it shakes the apple cart." show more

NY Mag: Biden Should Drop Out *If* He’s Still Behind by Summer.

New York Magazine’s Jonathan Chait has declared that President Joe Biden should drop out of the Democratic primary despite being the incumbent if he is still behind by summer. The Democrat National Convention is scheduled for August 19-22.

Chait, a regular left-wing media commentator, wrote on Tuesday:

So as of now, it would take a five-point national swing to make the race a pure toss-up. How should we view that situation? On the one hand, there are still ten months to go. The economy is in fantastic shape, and another almost-year of prosperity — along with, hopefully, an end to the war between Israel and Hamas — might give Biden a significant boost in the polls.

On the other hand, this is a way of saying that there needs to be a lot of positive development, with no major bad news, just to get into coin-flip territory. And while it is still somewhat early, the electorate is deeply polarized, and Biden and Trump are both unusually well-known figures. All that suggests there aren’t a lot of persuadable voters out there.

Despite his farcical claim that Biden’s economy is “in fantastic shape,” it is becoming likelier that Republicans will run on immigration more than the economy. New forecasts have suggested America may experience 2.2 percent GDP growth in 2024, taking some of the sting out of right-leaning attacks on Bidenomics. Chait goes on:

Do I think the Democrats are at a point where this is their best chance of winning? At the moment, I don’t know. Biden is saddled with two giant problems. First, the inflation run-up of 2021-2022 left a bitter taste in the electorate’s mouth that the subsequent soft landing hasn’t erased. And second, his age is limiting his ability to campaign and probably making it hard for persuadable voters to believe he’s capable of handling the job (even though I believe he is).

There’s enough time for a combination of an improving economy and a more ambitious campaign effort to improve Biden’s standing on both fronts. But if summer rolls around and the president is still trailing by five points in the tipping-point state, I think the risks of staying the course will be larger than the risks of trying to get Biden to stand down.

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New York Magazine’s Jonathan Chait has declared that President Joe Biden should drop out of the Democratic primary despite being the incumbent if he is still behind by summer. The Democrat National Convention is scheduled for August 19-22. show more

Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
Incredible bet-hedging by Chait here
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macron

France’s Macron Won’t Rule Out Boots on the Ground in Ukraine.

President Emmanuel Macron of France has warned that while there is “no consensus today to send in an official, endorsed manner troops on the ground” to Ukraine, “nothing can be ruled out.”

The Frenchman spoke in Paris after a meeting of Western officials — including more than 20 European heads of state and government — vowing, “We will do everything needed so Russia cannot win the war.”

His comments follow revelations by Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia — a skeptic of Western involvement in the Ukraine war, like Hungary’s Viktor Orban — that “a number of NATO and [European Union] member states are considering that they will send their troops to Ukraine on a bilateral basis.”

Macron said he would not comment on which countries are considering sending forces to Ukraine, citing “strategic ambiguity.”

Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany struck a different note, however, claiming it had been agreed in Paris “that there will be no ground troops, no soldiers on Ukrainian soil who are sent there by European states or NATO states.”

Fico said Slovakia would not be sending troops, with his counterpart in the more pro-war Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, also saying his government “certainly doesn’t want to send its soldiers.”

Poland, one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters, also said it does not plan to intervene militarily.

Russia currently has the upper hand on the battlefield, having thwarted a Western-equipped counter-offensive in 2023 and captured the fortress town of Avdeyevka, contested since 2014, in recent days.

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President Emmanuel Macron of France has warned that while there is "no consensus today to send in an official, endorsed manner troops on the ground" to Ukraine, "nothing can be ruled out.” show more

WATCH: Kassam Says TikTok Is Like Big Pharma, Hooking Americans on Their ‘New Drug.’

Raheem Kassam, editor-in-chief of The National Pulse, says the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is not only propagandizing Western youth through its TikTok app but also buying the loyalty of Western media, like Big Pharma before it.

Speaking to War Room host Steve Bannon, Kassam said the purpose of TikTok’s algorithmically targeted content “is not just to weaponize people towards moral degeneracy, it is also to create fissures in Western civil society.”

“You saw the NBC story up yesterday — they put without any evidence in the whole story [that] Russia is interfering in the 2024 election again, and then they have 2,000 words and not one shred of evidence for it,” Kassam explained, referring to reporting debunked by The National Pulse on Monday.

“Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party is in control, in active control, of the primary distribution mechanism of information amongst young people in America today, and not a peep about it from NBC, not a peep about it from the mainstream media,” he continued.

“In fact, you’ll find that if you sign up to the POLITICO news list and Axios and all this stuff, you’ll see sometimes it says ‘Sponsored by ByteDance.’ What’s ByteDance? It’s TikTok’s parent company. They’re in their pockets,” Kassam told Bannon.

“You said it was like Big Pharma. It is like Big Pharma — and TikTok is their new drug.”

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Raheem Kassam, editor-in-chief of The National Pulse, says the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is not only propagandizing Western youth through its TikTok app but also buying the loyalty of Western media, like Big Pharma before it. show more