The media is in turmoil. But there’s good news: You can do something about it.
We all know it: The media’s in trouble these days. Legacy outlets are crumbling. Just look at what that shiny-headed billionaire space-cowboy, Jeff Bezos, did to
The Washington Postearlier this year, when he slashed its staff by a third. CBS News? Now run by anti-woke crusader, Bari Weiss, who gutted 60 Minutes. CNN? Teetering on the brink of falling under the same ownership as CBS, pending the outcome of high-stakes merger talks.
And that’s before we get to President Donald Trump, who calls the media “the enemy of the people” and loves nothing more than slapping a news outlet with a lawsuit. Trump is at war with both the media and the truth itself. This is the guy who made
30,573 falseor misleading claims in his first term alone. When NBC’s Kristen Welkermerely pointed outthefactthat several of Trump’s primary endorsements flopped, Trump called for Welker to be “reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment.”
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**The media crisis is about more than Trump, billionaire owners, big tech and business trends. **It’s a crisis of trust.
Too many wishy-washy outlets seem afraid to speak some basic truths — that Trump just makes stuff up, for example, or that climate change is real. Bad faith politicians get called back onto mainstream TV programs to make bad faith arguments, all the time.
“The constant platforming of lies and conspiracy theories makes people want to turn off the television. In fact, it has made people turn off the television,” Scott MacFarlane, a former CBS News anchor who recently went independent,
▶told Zeteo. “It’s a terrible business decision, not to mention it undermines democracy and it undermines journalism.”
As for us, well, we’ve had the time of our lives making fun of the president
andbringing you breaking news aboutDOGE spying on federal workers, the FBI’sinterference inthe midterms, the DNC’s 2024autopsy drama, and countless others stories. And, of course, who doesn’t love hearingCards Against Humanity troll Elon Musk?
**Support independent media by becoming a Friend of the Pod, **so we can keep making punny headlines forever!
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** Maria Bartiromo abruptly left her job** as one of the best-known anchors at Fox News, without explanation. Speculation that she might be taking a gig as Donald Trump’s new White House Press Secretary is unfounded, however, according to
** Vance downplayed the war in Iran** during a press conference today, saying, “I wouldn’t call it a war.” He falsely claimed there has been “no active shooting lately,” even though there has been an increase in strikes over the past few days.
** Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick apologized** for falsely stating that there “haven’t been American deaths” in the Iran war. In fact, 18 Americans have died and hundreds have been injured. Lutnick claimed he “misspoke” and confused the conflict with America’s brief military operation in Venezuela.
** Meanwhile, oil prices are rising again**, heading back toward $100 per barrel as diesel futures also hit an all-time high, as the long-term costs of this endless war in Iran grow, no matter what administration figures say about it. Higher energy costs make everything else that has to be manufactured or shipped more expensive, too.
** State lawmakers are racing to put new limits** on data center construction as the public backlash against them grows. A Washington Post analysis found that lawmakers introduced 375 bills on data centers already this year, more than the total of the past three years combined.
** Feminist icon Gloria Steinem died yesterday at age 92**. The trailblazing journalist and activist spent decades fighting for women’s equality, and
** The new museum founded by “Star Wars” creator** George Lucas is set to open in Los Angeles later this month, after several delays. It’s estimated to have cost more than a billion bucks, funded entirely by Lucas himself. The museum will mostly display modern art from last century — and “Star Wars” stuff will barely take up any of the space. “That said, an enormous Naboo N-1 Starfighter does greet visitors in one of the lobbies,” the
** Fishermen in Italy had struggled over the past couple** of years with invasive Atlantic blue crabs that decimated local clam and mussel populations. Italian consumers have no taste for the crustaceans. But the seamen recently discovered that they can make a killing by selling the crabs abroad. More for us!
** Menudo, the popular Latino boy band** from the ‘70s, is getting back together for a six-show tour this fall to mark the group’s 50th anniversary. Seven members spanning the group’s history will take part in the tour (but not Ricky Martin). “It’s going to be hits,” band member Robert Avellanet said. Can we bring back N’Sync next?
** Speaking of boy bands, Lenny Pearce, a former member** of an Australian boy band, now sells out concert venues with his “baby raves.” That’s right: He remixes popular children’s songs, such as “The Wheels on the Bus,” into family-friendly electronic jams. Like many innovations throughout history, Pearce’s project began with a weird idea: “What if he gave ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ a heavy techno beat?” the
** Ahhh, the fall. There’s no better feeling every year** than making soup, getting under a cozy blanket, and watching a good movie as the air becomes a bit chilly. Here’s a comprehensive list of upcoming movie releases to keep you entertained as the season turns (and to take your mind off, you know,
